Q & A with Rubens Barrichello

Rubens Barrichello: It's been great. I've said before that people put flowers on my coffin at the beginning of the year, and I was back, driving a fantastic car and I was so, so up for it. I've got to really thank God for the situation I've had for the year. It was a great car to drive all year.

Jenson won it, and he deserved to do it, but he won it on the first six races, and I think the second half of the championship was mine. It was a true fight and I fought really hard, but in a time of the championship when we didn't have the performance of that grade anymore. So it was a big fight and I kept going, kept myself alive, and I'm really pleased.

I'm pleased for Jenson as a friend and as a great champion, and if I didn't win, he should have won it, so well done to him.

Q. You have been the driver in form in the last half of the season and you've been sharing the garage with a guy who was incredibly worried he would lose the championship.

RB: He didn't have to do much, in all honesty, and I had to fight really, really hard. Not that I'm saying I'm the hero - he was the hero the whole time - I just kept on fighting, kept it alive. For me, Monza and Valencia were great, as was today. But today for example we didn't have the performance to win the race, and unfortunately we need to look for that and see where we lost.

But I'm still happy. I would have finished third and I was happy to fight with Lewis [Hamilton]. It was a great fight. I got out of the car and I said 'I'm sorry that I put you into the wall so many times!'

But I give everything to this life. My family and the big guy know how much I fought for this and it's been frustrating not to be able to win - but I consider myself a big winner and a big loser. I know how to win and lose, and this is a time of frustration but I'm still a little bit happy for Jenson in a way.

Q. What are your thoughts for the team?

RB: They've been superb, and I think Ross was able to get everyone together, to give speeches to prepare them, and they were really well prepared. It's a hell of a team and it deserves to win. We will have a good night together because I feel the constructors' title is part of me as well and I'm happy for that.