Key Takeaways (TL;DR):
- Setup Mastery: Jenson Button highlighted former teammate Rubens Barrichello as the finest driver he ever worked with regarding car setup, feedback, and technical development.
- The Schumacher Dynamic: Button revealed that partnering with Barrichello made him realize why Michael Schumacher valued the Brazilian as a teammate at Ferrari for six seasons.
- Technical Value at Honda: Barrichello’s experience operating alongside Schumacher proved crucial for feedback and development during their shared tenure at Honda and Brawn GP.
Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher shared a relationship marked by highs and lows during the six seasons they spent together at Ferrari. Jenson Button, who partnered with the Brazilian at Honda and Brawn GP, revealed he came to understand why the seven-time champion wanted Barrichello around: he was unequaled in setting up and developing a car.
Between 2000 and 2005, Ferrari secured five consecutive Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships, all claimed by Schumacher. The partnership between Michael and Barrichello stood as one of the most successful in Formula 1 history, though it was also defined by landmark team orders, such as the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix.
Button, who worked alongside Barrichello from 2006 to 2009, praised his former teammate’s technical acumen, ranking him as the best driver at providing feedback and dialing in a setup. The Briton admitted to being impressed by Barrichello’s capacity to relay precise track sensations to the engineering team.
“I’ve been asked this question many times: who do you think was the best driver to set up a car? And by far, it was Rubens. As far as working with a team, developing a car, understanding what the vehicle is doing on track and feeding that back, but also just knowing what to do rather than letting the engineer figure it out on their own,” the 2009 World Champion stated on the Beyond The Grid podcast.
Technical Feedback and Honda/Brawn Days
“That was where he was truly impressive. I understand why Michael wanted him as a teammate for so many years. I was fortunate to experience that when we started racing together, and I could really see the skills he possessed that I didn’t even know existed,” Button admitted.
Jenson also reflected on the environment at Honda between 2006 and 2008. Despite the Japanese manufacturer’s substantial infrastructure, performance waned starting in 2007, leaving them far from contending for victories or titles.
“We all wanted to win. We were doing everything we could to win. These weren’t amateur teams competing against Ferrari. These were hundreds of people with immense experience in the sport,” he recalled.
“So the winning mindset was always present. We just didn’t quite have the package needed to achieve it. But I think receiving feedback from two experienced drivers was incredibly important. And obviously, they paid close attention to Rubens because he came from Ferrari and had worked alongside Michael,” Button concluded.
Formula 1 is currently on its summer break. Track action for the 2026 season resumes August 21–23 with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which teams did Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello share as teammates?
Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello were teammates at Honda Racing F1 Team (2006–2008) and Brawn GP (2009).
How many seasons did Rubens Barrichello drive for Ferrari alongside Michael Schumacher?
Rubens Barrichello drove for Ferrari alongside Michael Schumacher for six seasons, from 2000 through 2005.
