Rubens Barrichello

23
Team: Brawn-Mercedes
Age: 37
Debut: Sth Africa '93
Starts: 283
Wins: 11
Poles: 14
Fastest laps: 17
'08 position: 14th

Experience has not diminished Rubens Barrichello's enthusiasm, and it proved crucial in securing him a contract extension. The Brazilian still has great speed, as he showed in 2008, and he has got himself in shape over the winter - losing around 5kg - to make the most of what lies ahead.

Barrichello did all he could last year to show that he was not ready to hang up his helmet. He out-qualified Button more often than not in 2008 and, having said so often over the winter that he is only interested in racing in F1 if he can win, he will hoping that the Brawn GP car goes as well at races as it did over the winter.