Top 5 teammate rivalries in Formula 1

#3 Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello

The swap at the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix

Reason for the rivalry being Special: Schumacher’s control over Ferrari and Rubens.

It was always difficult to beat Schumacher and when the German was in a red car, it was even more difficult. The time Barrichello joined the Maestro at Scuderia in 2000, the double world champion was trophy-less for 4 years. However, as soon as the Brazilian shifted boats from the Stewart team, he and Schumacher were gifted with a very quick car, 5 years in a row. And, Schumacher made the most of that, by winning five titles on the trot.

But, the time wasn’t as smooth as one would have liked. Barichello was always, very clearly, hard done by the team as the Scuderia always took the star’s side. Of course, Barrichello never had the ‘ultimate pace or brains of Schumacher. But, we understand that how difficult was the situation for the Brazilian, when right in front of his eyes his colleague took home 5 titles, in the same car he was driving. ‘Rubinho’ was always portrayed as the perfect number 2 of Schumacher, which did not amuse the Brazilian.

The biggest highlight of this professional feud showcased itself in Austria 2002, where Barrichello was told to move over and let Schumacher pass for the race lead. The call was made well before the chequered flag was dropped, albeit in a very frantic way by team boss Jean Todt. Barrichello made sure he gave up the place dramatically on the finishing line of the final lap.

The “switch” made news, and Ferrari were panned because Schumacher did not really need to those extra points for the championship, at least so early in the season, which the Prancing Horses were sure to dominate anyway. And, Barrichello was robbed of a perfect race win, for which Ferrari was subsequently fined 1 Million Dollars (indirectly) by the FIA.

The rivalry and the bad taste between the two drivers stayed on. And, later in 2010, when a returning Schumacher was with Mercedes and Barrichello with Williams, it escalated even further as the German nearly drove his former teammate towards the pitwall during the Hungarian Grand Prix at speeds in excess of 300 kmph.

Schumacher insisted that he was only defending as hard as he could, but it was certain that the former champion was giving it all, and a bit more, to not let his friendly foe pass him.