This Time, Barrichello Prevails

Rubens Barrichello wasn’t about to surrender his lead in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Barrichello edged teammate Michael Schumacher to win the race Sunday, and their 1-2 finish allowed Ferrari to clinch the Formula One team title with four races left.

Barrichello, starting from the pole, cruised to his second victory of the season and third of his career, only losing the lead during his two pit stops in the 77-lap race.

At the Austrian Grand Prix in May, Barrichello obeyed team orders and moved over on the final straightaway to let Schumacher take the checkered flag.

This time, the Brazilian driver protected his lead on the tight 2.47-mile Hungaroring circuit.

“The most important thing was to win the constructors’ title,” said Barrichello, who finished in 1 hour 41 minutes 49.001 seconds.

“We had a great car, great pit stops, everything was great today.

“We had the best car out there, it was just a matter of bringing it home. Winning 1-2 is just great.”

Schumacher moved within a half-second of Barrichello with five laps remaining, but seemed happy to let his teammate lead the way.

“There was no intention to pass, I was just having some fun,” Schumacher said. “After that, I just drove safely home. Second place was the maximum I could get today.”

Schumacher already had assured himself of a record-tying fifth drivers’ championship.

By finishing 0.4 of a second behind Barrichello, he barely missed becoming the first to win 10 races in a season.

Schumacher’s younger brother, Ralf, was third in a BMW-Williams, 13.3 seconds off the lead.

Barrichello moved into second place in the drivers’ standings, five points ahead of Ralf Schumacher and his BMW-Williams teammate Juan Pablo Montoya, who finished 11th.

Former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve pulled out after 20 laps with an engine breakdown in his BAR-Honda.