MOTOR SPORT: Rubens Barrichello wants to finally follow in the footsteps of Ayrton Senna after stepping out of Michael Schumacher's shadow to sign for BAR-Honda.

Barrichello, 33, was hailed as Senna's natural successor after a stunning rise through the junior ranks, but his momentum stalled when his fellow Brazilian was killed in 1994.

Barrichello finally won his first grand prix in 2000 after moving to Ferrari, but by then he had accepted a subservient position to Schumacher, which obliged him to back up the German's title challenge.

The Sao Paolo-born driver has finally tired of playing second fiddle to Schumacher and quit Ferrari a year before his contract expired, taking up a multi-year contract at BAR for 2006 onwards.

With number-two status behind him, Barrichello aims to prove he has the talent to join Schumacher and Senna on the list of Formula One world champions.

"I wish to thank everyone at Ferrari for six fantastic years," the former Stewart and Jordan driver said. "I have won many races with them and I am proud to have helped the team, to date, to win five constructors' world championships.

"However, my target remains winning the drivers' title, and to achieve that I felt that I needed a renewed motivation.

"I have been watching BAR-Honda's progress for some time and have been struck by the spirit and determination of a team that has all the right ingredients to win races and go on to win world championships.

"I can't think of anything more exciting than working with the team and Honda to achieve our shared ambitions together."

Barrichello has an impressive record at helping young teams to landmark achievements, having guided Jordan to their first pole position and Stewart to their first pole and podium finish.

Now he faces a similar task at BAR, where he will be expected to succeed where Jenson Button has so far failed and deliver a maiden grand-prix victory.

BAR chief executive Nick Fry believes the signing of a proven winner in Barrichello will lift his team nearer the front runners and closer to their goal of winning a world title.

"Signing Rubens represents another exciting milestone in BAR-Honda's development and in Rubens's own career," he said.

"This is a strong and successful team that is determined to achieve its world championship ambitions and we are confident that these will be realised soon.

"Rubens is not only an excellent driver, but he has the experience of building a race and championship-winning team and these skills are very important as we work to take BAR-Honda to the next level.

"The fact that we have developed so quickly to become an attractive proposition to drivers of Rubens's standing is a fantastic credit to the team.

"We are delighted that Rubens recognises our enormous potential and wishes to help us realise our dream in the not-too-distant future."

Barrichello's team-mate at BAR in 2006 is yet to be confirmed. Button wants to stay on at Brackley, England, but has a contract with Williams that he has so far failed to escape from.

Takuma Sato enjoys significant support from Honda but his lacklustre form this year means his seat is under threat and BAR could opt to replace him even if Button leaves for Williams, with Nick Heidfeld a possibility.

1972: Born May 23rd in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

1990: Races in Europe for first time and clinches Opel Lotus Euroseries title.

1991: Wins British Formula Three Championship.

1993: Makes Formula One debut for Jordan, claiming first points with fifth in Japan.

1994: Scores first podium, third in Pacific GP, on way to sixth in championship.

1997: Switches to Jackie Stewart's new team and finishes 13th overall.

2000: Joins Ferrari as Michael Schumacher's number two. Fourth in title race.

2002: Wins in Hungary, Italy and Nurburgring but season dominated by row after he pulls over to gift Schumacher Austrian win. Second overall as Ferrari retain titles.

2004: Ferrari keep up title-winning run as Barrichello wins in Italy and China.

2005: May 22nd - Criticises Schumacher for last-lap manoeuvre at Monaco.

2005: August 16th - Confirmed as BAR-Honda driver for 2006 and beyond.