Ex-F1 racer Rubens Barrichello feels lucky to be alive after tumour
Ex-Formula 1 racer Rubens Barrichello has revealed he feels lucky to be alive after his recent health scare and the discovery of a tumour on his neck
The 11-time grand prix winner was rushed to hospital in February after suffering a severe headache at home.
He was released a few days later but subsequently had surgery to remove a benign tumour between races in the Brazilian stock car series in which he now competes.
Speaking in a television interview on Brazilian programme 'Conversa com Bial', Barrichello showed off a large scar on the left side of his neck where doctors had operated.
"After everything that happened, I had a bunch of check-ups to find out more about my health condition and they found a small tumour on my neck, which they removed after a race I did in Interlagos," he said.
"I had it removed because, even though it was a benign tumour, it would've grown and I don't want to have that kind of discomfort in the car."
The 45-year-old said doctors had told him he was incredibly lucky not to suffer any long-term ill effects - or worse - from his earlier visit to hospital.
"A friend of ours who's a doctor saw that I was in bad shape and I'm very lucky," explained Barrichello.
"The vein that opened due to a bad formation, regenerated itself with its own blood in two hours.
"When I arrived at the hospital, they put in a cannula and saw the vein had closed itself. When I left the hospital, they told me only 14% of people get out of this situation like I did. Many endure serious after-affects or die."
Talking about the incident that took him to hospital in the first place, Barrichello said: "I was at home having a shower and suddenly I felt a pain in my head.
"From zero to 10 - I'd say it was an eight or nine headache, so strong! I lay on the floor, I didn't want to wake anybody up. But it was hurting so badly.
"I walked back into my bedroom and woke up [wife] Silvana. I started feeling sick and realised this was a hospital situation."
Daniel Ricciardo: Red Bull F1 team needs more wins to keep me
Formula 1 fuel limit to rise in 2019 to promote 'full power' racing
Daytona 24: Ganassi Cadillacs top final GTP practice at Daytona
Renger van der Zande produced the fastest lap for Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac in the new GTP class’s final systems check before tomorrow’s 61st Daytona 24 Hours.
Foyt changes IndyCar number amid "symbolic references" debacle
AJ Foyt Racing has changed the number of Benjamin Pedersen's 2023 IndyCar entry from #88 to #55, after finding its two cars' numbers held "certain ideological and symbolic references".
Taylor: Reset button will be "worn out" but better than limp mode in Daytona 24
Ricky Taylor has zero worries over the pace of the new Acura ARX-06, but believes the new GTP cars will encounter several sensor issues over the course of the Daytona 24 Hours.
WEC assessing Sebring alternative for US round from 2024
The World Endurance Championship has admitted that it is examining alternatives to Sebring for the US round of the series from 2024.
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
What difference did F1's fastest pitstops of 2022 make?
While a quick pitstop can make all the difference to the outcome of a Formula 1 race, most team managers say consistency is more important than pure speed. MATT KEW analyses the fastest pitstops from last season to see which ones – if any – made a genuine impact
When F1 ‘holiday’ races kept drivers busy through the winter
Modern Formula 1 fans have grown accustomed to a lull in racing during winter in the northern hemisphere. But, as MAURICE HAMILTON explains, there was a time when teams headed south of the equator rather than bunkering down in the factory. And why not? There was fun to be had, money to be made and reputations to forge…
What Porsche social media frenzy says about F1’s manufacturer allure
Porsche whipped up a frenzy thanks to a cryptic social media post last week and, although it turned out to be a false alarm, it also highlighted why manufacturers remain such an important element in terms of the attraction that they bring to F1. It is little wonder that several other manufacturers are bidding for a slice of the action
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.