Former Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello believes the strong return to form at Ferrari is due to the Maranello team re-establishing the strengths that made them so successful in the early 2000's. 

The Brazilian was alongside Michael Schumacher during the Scuderia's golden era but this year marks a decade since Ferrari last claimed a Drivers' championship, with Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.

That may change this year, however, with Sebastian Vettel leading the standings by 12 points from Lewis Hamilton and, speaking at the Le Mans 24 Hours this past weekend, Barrichello revealed his theory on how Ferrari became competitive once again.

“It's almost like they had to repackage and go back a few years, to understand what made them fast when we were there," the most experienced driver in F1 history said. "What made us fast was just the translation from the tunnel to the track.

"They would say 'OK, now you're going to have a little more entry speed in the corner' and it was amazing – how the hell did they know these things so well?

“The car did whatever they said. Because of a lack of testing, they knew the car was good and off they went. If you have the right group coming together, you can win.”

Barrichello also welcomed the return of Ross Brawn, who he drove under while at Ferrari and Brawn GP later on, to F1, believing the Briton is the right man in the right position after being appointing the managing director of motorsport in the Formula One Group at the start of this year

“I think he gets on with it anyway and it's easy for him to talk to the right people and be more practical," he said.

There was one personal favour the now-45-year-old had of Brawn, however: "I told him already, he should give me a pass for life," he said, "I don't need to ask. After 19 years I should have a pass for my life.”