Germany's Rubens Barrichello Wins US Formula One Grand Prix

Topics:  Rubens Barrichello, United States Grand Prix

Voice of America
Indianapolis, Indiana
September 29, 2002

One of the closest finishes in Formula One history has Ferrari teammates on top.

Germany's Michael Schumacher led the entire race, then slowed just enough in the final seconds to allow teammate Rubens Barrichello to win the U.S. Formula One Grand Prix.

But the side-by-side finish produced many questions, since Barrichello had been ordered by his team to slow down at the Austrian Grand Prix earlier this year, allowing Schumacher to win.

Schumacher said the Indianapolis finish wasn't staged, but he said it was fitting that Barichello should win.

The Brazilian driver didn't disagree. "At the end, I wasn't expecting. We were close together. But as Michael said, if you really think that I won Austria and he won Indy, that's it. There's nothing to complain," he said.

Barichello wins for the fourth time this year, and clinches second in the Formula One Championship, which has already gone to Schumacher.