Barrichello offers advice to Massa

Rubens Barrichello has offered some advice to Brazilian compatriot Felipe Massa.

Last season Massa urged Barrichello to announce his retirement from Formula One ahead of the season finale in Brazil, Massa wanted Rubens to get the send off he deserved, but Barrichello was desperate to try and secure a race seat in Formula One for the 2012 season to complete 20 years in the sport.

However it wasn't to be for the veteran driver as he lost his seat at Williams to Bruno Senna and with a lack of options on the grid, Barrichello eventually decided to make the move to the American Indy Car series.

The 39-year-old has always been a positive character around the paddock during his career, no matter what series of motor racing he was in, right through from British Formula Three to Formula One to his two races in the IndyCar Series where he has finished 17th in St. Petersburg, Florida and 8th in the Grand Prix of Alabama.

Barrichello wants Massa to enjoy Formula One more in the hopes that he will relax and re-discover the form that so nearly won him the 2008 title for Ferrari.

'It isn't a speed problem, it's something that he has to solve himself, He has to close his eyes, enjoy himself and remember that he is doing this because he likes it.' Barrichello told Brazilian sports website Globoesporte.com as quoted by Autosport Magazine.

'All of the times when I lost myself a little bit, I had forgotten that and reminded myself that I am doing this because I like it too. So, we have to relax - and then we can improve. It's just a moment, and every moment in Formula 1 is a cycle of life.'

Barrichello knows that one obstacle he has to get over his team-mate Fernando Alonso, something Barrichello knows all about after years of working alongside Michael Schumacher.

'Certainly, Ferrari has a love for Alonso, because he is one of the best, if not the best, in F1, So, Felipe has a tough hurdle to overcome.'