RubensÂ’ Brazilian GP helmet

Rubens Barrichello’s motor racing career began in earnest in 1981, whilst racing competitively in karts in his home town of Sao Paulo, Brazil. But his interest in the sport was sparked earlier than that when, at the age of seven, he was presented with his first helmet by Brazilian Stock Car legend and former F1 driver Ingo Hoffman; a family friend of the Barrichellos. The helmet, in Hoffman’s red, yellow and green colours, is still treasured by Rubens at his family home in Brazil.

Hoffman, who raced for the Fittipaldi F1 team in 1976 and 1977 as well as competing in Formula 2, sports and saloon cars, is most notable for his stock car racing career, winning no fewer than 12 Brazilian Stock Car championships. 2008 marks his retirement from racing and it is for this reason that Rubens has decided to honour his old friend by painting his helmet in Hoffman’s colours and inviting him to join the Honda Racing F1 Team at Interlagos this weekend.

Visit the Images section of HondaRacingF1.com over the course of this weekend to see photos of Rubens’ Brazilian GP helmet.