Barrichello in box seat for Valencia GP victory
When the FIA published the qualifying fuel weights on Saturday evening, it was revealed that the veteran Brazilian's Brawn is carrying almost ten more kilograms of fuel than the pole sitter Lewis Hamilton.
Barrichello, 37, qualified less than a tenth slower than Hamilton despite the heavier fuel load, and was fastest of all in the low-fuel 'Q2' session.
Heikki Kovalainen's sister McLaren, one place ahead of Barrichello on the grid in second position, is carrying 7.5kg less fuel than Barrichello.
"I'm driving well and going for the wins," the oldest regular driver on the grid said after qualifying in Spain. "I had a nice (summer) break for a good comeback and a good second half to the season."
Barrichello, 26 points behind Button's championship lead, said he believes he is still in the fight for the 2009 title.
"There have been ups and downs this year, sometimes very happy, sometimes a little bit unhappy, but I think (I am still in the title fight) yeah, it would be very, very, very nice to win the championship at 37," he said.
Post-qualifying car weights ahead of tomorrow’s European Grand Prix.
1. Lewis Hamilton – 653.0 kg
2. Heikki Kovalainen – 655.0 kg
3. Rubens Barrichello – 662.5 kg
4. Sebastian Vettel – 654.0 kg
5. Jenson Button – 661.5 kg
6. Kimi Räikkönen – 661.5 kg
7. Nico Rosberg – 665.0 kg
8. Fernando Alonso – 664.5 kg
9. Mark Webber – 664.5 kg
10. Robert Kubica – 657.5 kg
11. Nick Heidfeld – 677.0 kg
12. Adrian Sutil – 672.5 kg
13. Timo Glock – 694.7 kg
14. Romain Grosjean – 679.2 kg
15. Sébastien Buemi – 688.5 kg
16. Giancarlo Fisichella – 692.5 kg
17. Kazuki Nakajima – 702.0 kg
18. Jarno Trulli – 707.3 kg
19. Jaime Alguersuari – 678.5 kg
20. Luca Badoer – 690.5 kg