Last weekend in Valencia, Spain, was held the European Grand Prix, the eleventh event of the Formula One World Championship. The winner of the much fought-over event was the Brazilian Rubens Barrichello. The victory must have been sweet for the driver; it was his first after almost five years without climbing to the top of the podium.

This is the tenth time that Barrichello has obtained a first place in his career as a professional formula one driver; it is, however, his first big win with his new team, Brawn GP. His previous victories occurred with Ferrari, a team with which he drove for five years, between 2000 and 2005.

It was with the support of Ross Brawn, Barrichello’s new team director, which allowed the Brazilian driver to demonstrate his full potential at the Valencia Street Circuit. In fact, the Brazilian was faster and more powerful than his teammate Jenson Button, the current championship leader.

Brawn GP was established in 2009, after Ross Brawn purchased the retired Honda team. Brawn’s decision to hire Barrichello proved a wise one with clear benefits for both parties: Brawn GP has become a highly recognized team more than capable of presenting a challenge, while Barrichello has proven his merit as a driver, rising from fourteenth - where he ended last season - to second this year.

Barrichello has been able to seize his opportunities. The 37-year-old can draw from a well of talent that, since his arrival at Brawn, has risen sharply.

The win allows Barrichello to recover from last May’s Spanish Grand Prix debacle, in which he lost first place to his teammate Button.

This time, however, Barrichello had his moment of glory. The race developed quickly, with Barrichello firmly set in third place and intent on keeping his closest pursuers behind him. The Brawn driver was then able to use his extra fuel in order to leap into second, overcoming McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen.

The moment to move ahead came with 20 laps left in the race, during the last pit stop. Rubinho was able to overtake the leader at the time, Lewis Hamilton, after a miscommunication problem in the pit-lane. The Brazilian was able to return to the track with a ten second advantage over the McLaren driver.

Barrichello was able to maintain his position despite the constant attacks by the McLaren team drivers, Hamilton and Kovalainen. Neither driver could match the #23 driver, who was firm in first as he crossed the finish line.

‘’It’s been a fantastic weekend that I will never forget, especially after five years,’’ Barrichello said.

Hamilton came in second, but Kovalainen lost third place to Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari.

With the victory, Barrichello was awarded 10 points for a total of 54 points and remains second overall in the drivers' standings. Button, despite not taking the last three competitions, maintains first in the standings with 72 points. Barrichello remains behind by 18 points and holds a good chance to become the next champion in one of the greatest of world motorsports.