Rubens and Eduardo Barrichello: like father, like son
Eduardo Barrichello will be taking part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time with the Racing Spirit of Léman. His father, Rubens, is also planning to take part in the double tour d'horloge. The father would like to share a car with his sons one day.

A first appearance in the World Endurance Championship. Since the start of the season, a familiar sound resonates in the WEC paddock. The name Barrichello appears once again in a major global competition.
This time, it’s not the father, but one of his sons. Eduardo Barrichello brings joy to the French team Racing Spirit of Léman. A rather surprising arrival since the Brazilian was racing in stock cars before committing to endurance racing.
The native of São Paulo had to adapt to a whole new world, learning to share a car with two other teammates. Fortunately for him, the pre-season tests in Qatar allowed him to grasp this environment.
Second in qualifying at Spa
« It’s very difficult, I’m used to only relying on myself, being the only one in control. I’m not comfortable in the car yet, it’s very different for me because I’m not the “priority.” Even if I do a great job, it’s only 1/3 of the race, I depend on other people. It was very complicated for me at the beginning, being in the car for so long, not always pushing, sometimes just saving energy and tires. It’s really different from what I’ve done before, I have to relearn something I’ve been doing for 23 years, but I’m improving », he acknowledged.
Despite having to learn this new world in a very short time and the limited number of rounds in the World Endurance Championship, Eduardo Barrichello still managed to deliver a great performance at the 6 Hours of Spa. The Brazilian brought the Aston Martin #10 to the second place on the starting grid. The race was a bit tougher with several penalties, but Patrick Barbier’s team managed to secure the sixth place, earning significant points for the championship.
Good advice
The Brazilian now has the 24 Hours of Le Mans in his sights. A race that many drivers dream of. It will be his first experience in the Sarthe. But he will be able to rely on the good advice of Valentin Hasse-Clot, his teammate, as well as his father. Rubens Barrichello already took part in the classic in 2017 in an LMP2.
« It’s always been a dream to go to Le Mans and I still can’t believe that I’m going to compete in this event. I think it will feel really real once I’m in the first free practice session. I’ve never been there, I only know the track on the simulator. I’ll make sure my physical preparation is top-notch, as well as my mindset. »
Seeing his son race in the WEC gave his father some ideas. During the inaugural round of the championship, he expressed the wish to compete in the 24 Hours with his two sons. “My dream is to race with my two children at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I don’t know if it’s a dream for them, but it is one for me,” he revealed.
If Eduardo already has one foot in the world of endurance, the other, Fernando, is still progressing in the promotion formulas in Europe. So, for now, the latter has not yet taken the same path as his brother. But who knows…
If this trio were to come to fruition, it would make history as it would join the Andretti family in the list of 100% family crews to race at Le Mans.