Massa shows support for Barrichello in Indycar

Ferrari Formula One driver Felipe Massa stopped by the Anhembi circuit to offer support to his fellow-Brazilians ahead of Sunday's Indycar Sao Paulo 300.

Massa was in former F1 rival Rubens Barrichello's pit for most of Saturday's practice and even participated in one of the Brazilian's meetings with his engineer. Barrichello joined IndyCar this year after a 19-year career in F1.

"I'm here for the four Brazilians, they are all my friends," Massa said. "It's always good to be at a track, getting to know a different series. We love auto racing, we never take a break from it."

Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan and Ana Beatriz are the other Brazilian drivers racing this weekend at the Sao Paulo 300, the fourth IndyCar race of the year.

Massa said it was already expected that Barrichello would have difficulties making the move from F1 to IndyCar.

"The car is completely different from the one in Formula 1," Massa said. "The transition from one category to the other takes time, but I'm confident he will get adapted quickly and will run up front pretty soon."

Barrichello will start 13th on Sunday, one spot ahead of team-mate Kanaan. Castroneves struggled and will start only 20th, just ahead of Ana Beatriz.

Massa is in Brazil on a break from his F1 duties. The next F1 race is on May 13 in Spain.