05-08-2005, 09:36 PM
Rubens Barrichello was released from his Ferrari contract early so that he could accept the opportunity of multi-year deal from a rival team according to Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.
Ferrari confirmed on Monday that the Brazilian is to be replaced by compatriot Felipe Massa in 2006.
"We gave Rubens Barrichello the possibility of accepting an offer of a multi-year contract, longer therefore than the length of his relationship with us," said Montezemolo.
"We also had the possibility of exercising an existing option in the contract we have with Felipe Massa, a young driver who nevertheless already has sufficient experience and whom we had already targeted as far back as 2001."
Barrichello's is expected to announce a two-year deal with the BAR-Honda deal shortly.
The Brazilian is known to have been unsettled with the Maranello team for some time and his relationship with Michael Schumacher has been strained at best since the German barged past him on the final lap of the Monaco Grand Prix in May.
Montezemolo added in his statement that he was grateful for Barrichello's six years of service.
"I wish to thank Rubens for his contribution over the past few years, which, to date, has helped us to win five constructors' championships," he said.
"From him, from everyone at Ferrari and from our technical partners, first and foremost Bridgestone, I am expecting maximum concentration and effort to get back to winning ways before the end of this season."
Ferrari confirmed on Monday that the Brazilian is to be replaced by compatriot Felipe Massa in 2006.
"We gave Rubens Barrichello the possibility of accepting an offer of a multi-year contract, longer therefore than the length of his relationship with us," said Montezemolo.
"We also had the possibility of exercising an existing option in the contract we have with Felipe Massa, a young driver who nevertheless already has sufficient experience and whom we had already targeted as far back as 2001."
Barrichello's is expected to announce a two-year deal with the BAR-Honda deal shortly.
The Brazilian is known to have been unsettled with the Maranello team for some time and his relationship with Michael Schumacher has been strained at best since the German barged past him on the final lap of the Monaco Grand Prix in May.
Montezemolo added in his statement that he was grateful for Barrichello's six years of service.
"I wish to thank Rubens for his contribution over the past few years, which, to date, has helped us to win five constructors' championships," he said.
"From him, from everyone at Ferrari and from our technical partners, first and foremost Bridgestone, I am expecting maximum concentration and effort to get back to winning ways before the end of this season."
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