Best known as Michael Schumacher's teammate from 2000 to 2005, Rubens Barrichello has often had to spend time in the shadow of his more illustrious teammate at Ferrari. But in 2006 he joined the Honda team and has since made a mark for himself.

Barrichello's early years as a driver anything but easy. He joined Jordan in 1993 riding high on the success of winning the Formula Lotus title in 1990 and the British Formula 3 in 1991. He almost won the F3 title in 1992, but a third place finish didn't do much harm to his F1 chances. In his first year at F1, he managed just two points even though he had a good run in most races. Often, it was technical problems that let him down at crucial moments.

In the ill-fated 1994 season, he almost lost his life in the San Marino GP when he was knocked unconscious in practice and the death of his mentor Ayrton Senna soon after didn't help much either. Bit by bit, though, Barrichello put himself together and performed admirably through the season including a pole-position at the Spa-Francorchamps. He finished the 1994 season in sixth place, the only driver not part of the established teams to finish that high.

Two more similar seasons followed but in 1996, when his relationship with team owner Eddie Jordan soured, he moved to join the newly formed Stewart Grand Prix team for the 1997 season. After two more seasons of showing fight that saw him finish seventh in the 1999 season, Barrichello was snapped up by the Ferrari team to replace Eddie Irvine as their second driver. This would be the start of a partnership that was to dominate F1 for the next half decade.

Despite holding the record for debut season wins in his early years, it took Barrichello 128 races to register his first F1 win. It finally arrived in Hockenheim despite him starting 18th on the grid. Driving with Ferrari brought Barrichello many accolades and honours including four race wins and even a 2nd place finish in the World Championship in 2002, but team plans always centred around Schumi and Barrichello was often asked to let his more illustrious partner win. One incident most F1 fans won't forget in a hurry is the Austrian GP of 2002 when Barrichello slowed down at the last corner to let Schumacher pass and secure victory.

There was more controversy surrounding the team-mates… while Barrichello was still smarting from a last lap attack from Schumacher in Monaco, a move that many would put down to the German's 'never-say-die' attitude, but Rubens believed this was unnecessarily risky. Then came the near collision at Indianapolis, when, following his pit stop, Schumacher almost forced the Brazilian off the track and that too, at a time when only six cars were racing.

Eventually, such policies and manoeuvres took their toll and in August of 2005, Barrichello announced his intention of leaving Ferrari. His first season with Honda wasn't all smooth sailing, though. Having spent five years at Ferrari, he was used to a different type of car and as a result, he wasn't the most competitive of drivers in the initial races. With the car being modified to suit him eventually, he has been making a mark including a third-place finish at the Chinese GP.

In a recent statement after testing Honda's new car for the season, the RA107, Barrichello said, "I feel confident about the season ahead because I know the importance of a stable team of key staff and drivers. It's great that we have that advantage. I also know just how much work has gone into this car throughout the whole Honda Racing F1 Team organisation and I believe that kind of effort will move us closer to achieving our Championship ambitions. I know that 2007 can be special so I am looking forward to the start of the season."

It has often been noted that Barrichello is indeed a team man and statements like the one above further emphasise this fact. Not many are giving the Honda much of a chance in 2007, but Barrichello has been around long enough and after Schumacher's retirement, is the most-experienced driver. That must account for something. One hopes.

If ever a driver was thrown a last line of hope it was Barrichello. With the Honda team out of F1, it was all but over for him. Until Ross Brawn came about. 2008 was another disappointing season for the veteran. Although he became the 'most experienced' driver in F1 surpassing Michael Schumacher's race tally, success eluded. Since the time he moved from Ferrari, he hasn't tasted much success. With Brawn GP, though, he has had a good run through the three tests the team has conducted. Surprising, but maybe this could be Rubens' year...