Kanaan: Barrichello Will Fit in

Kanaan was given the try-out as a reward for winning last year's Indy Racing League championship - and has been asked to report back to Barrichello about his experience with the outfit when he returns to Brazil.

"I talked to Rubens before I came over for the test," Kanaan told Autosport-Atlas. "He called to me the night before the test, he called me on the morning of the test and he called me again after the test.

"He really wants to know how I got on. He gave me some advice so I could prepare accordingly and he was also keen to know how I got on because I was driving the car before him."

Although his experience with BAR was his first time in an F1 environment, Kanaan says he has seen enough to know that Barrichello will settle in well when he arrives at the team for the start of next year.

"It will be very good," he said. "The people are very hard working here, and so is Rubens. After six years he needs a change and it will be a challenge for him.

"He will give a lot to the team after what he has learned at Ferrari and the team can give a lot too. He will also get equal treatment, which has not been the case in the other part of the pit-lane. He will fit in well.

"You know, there is something about the way Japanese and Brazilians get on...I think it is the rice which connects us."

Kanaan's delight at the test has not proved tempting enough for the Brazilian to decide to make the switch to F1, however. He has made it clear that he will remain in the IRL.

"It is only a one-off thing," he said. "I was not here to impress anyone to get a job. It was only a gift and besides I have a very good relationship with my team in the USA.

"Also, this team has two of the best drivers in F1 so they are so. I work well with my team and they need me, so that is it."