Rubens Barrichello, Former F1 Driver, Joins IZOD IndyCar Series

A long-rumored move was made official today when former Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello and KV Racing Technology confirmed Barrichello will be joining the team to compete full-time in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.

The 39-year-old Brazilian, whose 325 races started is an F1 record, will pilot the No. 8 Chevrolet-powered car sponsored by BMC Embrase. KV Racing also confirmed Barrichello will be teammates with good friend and countryman Tony Kanaan.

“I am thrilled, it is something very new to me,” Barrichello said in a statement released by the team. “I need to thank everyone involved, especially Tony because he has been involved for a long time.

“This is a new experience, but I am very, very happy. With all my experience I will start as a rookie, but I think I will get better as the year progresses. My main thing is to be an addition to KV Racing Technology. They have been doing very well and Tony brought the team to a different level last year, so I hope with my contribution we can build on this and take the team to another level. I am extremely happy and have a big smile on my face.”

In an F1 career which spanned 19 seasons and saw him race for some of F1’s more prominent teams, including Ferrari and Williams, Barrichello amassed 11 wins, 14 poles and 68 podium finishes, and has twice finished second in the World Championship standings.

Team owner Jimmy Vasser, himself a former champion in American open-wheel racing, was excited by the news.

“We are very excited to have both Rubens and Tony competing for our team in 2012,” Vasser said in a statement. “Rubens is going to be a great addition and last year Tony once again demonstrated his leadership abilities and his proven ability to compete for wins and the championship.

The 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season begins March 23-25 with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida.