From GMM

In what could turn out to be Rubens Barrichello's final grand prix, the Brazilian Formula 1 veteran is not wearing his usual white, orange and blue helmet design.


Instead, the Honda driver is speeding around the Interlagos circuit with the livery worn throughout the career of fellow Paulista Ingo Hoffmann.

The gesture is a tribute to 55-year-old Hoffman's long motor racing career, which included two grands prix for the struggling Copersucar team in the mid 70s, the local O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper said. Hoffmann managed to finish 7th in the Brazilian Grand Prix in 1977.

Hoffman, at Interlagos this weekend, is reportedly hanging up his helmet, painted bright yellow and orange, after the 2008 Brazilian stock car series.

Barrichello, 36, revealed that his own familiar white, orange and blue helmet livery was partly inspired by Hoffmann. The Brazilian is a long-standing friend of Rubens, ever since he gave him his first crash helmet when Rubens was just seven years old.

"The orange colour was inspired by the helmet of Ingo Hoffmann and the blue top came from Raul Boesel's helmet," he said.


Photo Credit : Honda