The End of a Formula 1 Era

My wife's favorite (and mine, darn it!) F1 driver has decided to leave his number two position at Ferrari to head for the greener (read: number one position) pastures at another team, reportedly BAR Honda.

Rubens Barichello, the Brazilian Fraser/Niles Crane look-alike, has been sad and lonely at Ferrari for some time methinks. I always felt a little sorry for him, playing second fiddle to Michael Schumacher. However, you must admit that he played his support role perfectly there, without much (if any) complaining. I just can't imagine what it's going to be like seeing him out of the red. Perhaps the fact that Ferrari is going through a "slump" this year cemented his decision. For the last few years, there was no beating Ferrari. Now they look vulnerable and other teams are moving in for the kill.

I hope Rubens is happy wherever he ends up. I just don't want him spending the twilight of his career on a shitty team at the back of the pack. At least he won occasionally at Ferrari. My biggest wish for him is to beat the pants off of his former teammate in at least one race. He has the talent, but has never had the luck or go-ahead from the team bosses. Here's to more of both Rubens!