Barrichello inspired by Senna's stories

Rubens Barrichello has revealed he was inspired to quit Ferrari for BAR-Honda by the late Ayrton Senna.

Barrichello grew close with Senna during his early years in Formula One, when he was touted as Brazil’s next world champion.

Barrichello has yet to achieve that aim in the 11 years since Senna was killed but the four-time world champion’s recollections of working with Honda have persuaded him to leave Ferrari.

The 33-year-old joins BAR next season determined to show he is capable of winning after six seasons in Michael Schumacher’s shadow, and he is convinced Honda will help him prove a point.

Asked what convinced him to join BAR, he said: “The resources, the people, everything Ayrton one day told me about Honda.

“At the time I started we shared dinners and things. He used to always be late and say he was spending time with the Honda boys trying to get the driveability, the power and everything about he car as he liked it.

“The good thing is they love this kind of conversation he said, and they used to do everything he asked to get it correct.

“I feel that Honda is always very powerful so I am looking forward very much to driving for them.

“Everything that is planned between BAR and Honda next year is good. There is good motivation within the team to have someone who is young and motivated to change things in a positive way.

“I am going there to bring 13 years’ experience and try to turn them into a winning team.”

Barrichello, who enjoyed a stunning career in junior championships before moving up to Formula One, believes he still has time to follow in Senna’s footsteps and win a world title.

Despite nine grand prix wins, Barrichello has yet to fulfil the promise shown in his early days, not helped by spending six seasons as Schumacher’s number two. He does not regret his time in Italy but admits his desire to finally mount a challenge for the world crown meant he had to leave.

“Obviously I was talking to BAR for a long time, it was just this year at some point that everything started to happen,” the former Stewart and Jordan driver said.

“I went to [Ferrari managing director] Jean Todt and said ’if I want to leave would you be kind enough to let me go?’ He said I had one week to decide because he was counting on me for next year.

“If it wasn’t for Ferrari I wouldn’t be where I am, at 33 trying to get Honda to the very top.

“I still dream of being world champion, that’s the reason why I am here, that’s the reason why I wake up competitive and that’s the reason for a new challenge.”

Barrichello will be replaced by countryman Felipe Massa for next season.

Massa will get his first taste of a Ferrari since testing for them in 2003 when he gets behind the wheel at Monza next week.

His current team Sauber have given him permission to test on Wednesday and Thursday prior to their own test on Friday.