Barrichello Wins Only Sympathy at Indy

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello won plenty of sympathy at Sunday's US Formula One Grand Prix, but he would far rather have taken victory in the race.

The Ferrari driver led for a while and was second, closing in on McLaren's eventual winner Mika Hakkinen, when his engine expired on the penultimate lap. Barrichello tried to continue but it was a doomed effort. "The feeling is horrible," confessed the Brazilian, who arrived at the home of American motor racing on a high after the birth of his son a week ago.

It was the Italian team's first engine failure of the championship and his team members were united in disappointment.

"It would probably have been better happening to me rather than to him," said Michael Schumacher, who has already wrapped up his fourth world title whereas Barrichello is fighting to be second overall.

"I am really disappointed for Rubens, who had driven a great race," said Ferrari's sporting director Jean Todt. "He had adopted an aggressive strategy and made a very good start and then some great passing moves."

Barrichello has only one win under his belt in 146 starts and Sunday's race offered him one of his best chances. The spare car was set up for him to use, something that never happened while his German teammate was gunning for the title.

Schumacher won his title in Hungary last month with four races to spare, allowing Barrichello to emerge from his usual position as Ferrari number two to challenge for himself.

"Since Michael won the championship, I had four races at my disposal to win a Grand Prix with the full support of the team," he said. "I was gaining around half a second a lap on Hakkinen, when I felt something was not right with the engine. It was a real shame. But I don't like the word 'unlucky'. These things happen."

Barrichello said he was happy to be heading back home to his family and to have shown once again that he is capable of winning given the chance. "The best moment of my life just happened last week," he said, referring to his son's birth.

"I'm a happy person. Being a happy person, I'm a happy driver. Being a happy driver, I'm a faster driver. I feel sad about it but what can I do? I will be back in Brazil soon seeing my son in a couple of hours."