Rubens Barrichello returned to the Ferrari F2002 before Sebastian Vettel took over the championship-winning car, as Monza celebrated Michael Schumacher’s extraordinary legacy
Formula 1’s Italian Grand Prix weekend took place at Monza, where Ferrari staged an emotional tribute to seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
Rubens Barrichello and Sebastian Vettel both drove the Ferrari F2002, one of the most successful cars of Schumacher’s career. Barrichello took to the track on Saturday afternoon, while Vettel drove the same V10-powered machine shortly before Sunday’s Grand Prix.
For Barrichello, the demonstration represented a reunion with a particularly significant car. The Brazilian raced alongside Schumacher at Ferrari from 2000 to 2005 and won the 2002 Italian Grand Prix in an F2002, leading his teammate home in a memorable Ferrari one-two. Rubens Barrichello won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza three times during his Formula 1 career: in 2002 and 2004, driving for Ferrari; and in 2009, driving for Brawn GP.
The Monza programme marked 30 years since Schumacher joined Ferrari in 1996 and 20 years since his final victory for the team, achieved at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix. Schumacher won five consecutive drivers’ championships with Ferrari between 2000 and 2004 and recorded five Italian Grand Prix victories in red.
Another personal element accompanied Barrichello’s return to the cockpit. Rubens’ demonstration helmet incorporated the design of his son, Fernando Barrichello, creating a father-and-son connection during the Schumacher celebration.
Fernando also wore a special helmet during the Formula 3 weekend at Monza. Its design combined the green, yellow and blue associated with Fernando with the red, white and blue pattern made famous by his father. It was his way of celebrating the person he has always looked up to and the racing legacy he grew up with.
The younger Barrichello’s motorsport career has also been connected with CryptoProcessing through a brand ambassador partnership announced in 2025. The partnership reflects the company’s involvement in motorsport and its support for the younger generation of the Barrichello racing family.
At Monza, those different chapters of the Barrichello story met one of Ferrari’s most successful eras. The return of the F2002 was more than a historic demonstration: it brought together Schumacher’s former teammate, a champion inspired by him and a new generation continuing the Barrichello name.