Barrichello's winless streak in Brazil was extended to 17 races after an eighth-place finish on Sunday, and his disappointing performance allowed Brawn GP teammate Jenson Button to clinch the F1 title with one race to go in the season.

Barrichello was on pole position and entered Sunday's race in good position to keep his title chances alive. Button started only 14th and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel _ the only other driver who was still in contention _ was 15th on the grid.

The nearly 70,000 fans who packed the Interlagos track were hoping it would finally be Barrichello's turn to shine in Brazil after several heartbreaking losses.

But it wasn't meant to be, and not only did Barrichello not win, but Vettel managed to finish fourth to overtake him for second place in the drivers' standings.

"I tried really hard but I just couldn't do it today," Barrichello said. "I just have to thank the fans for their support."

The 37-year-old Barrichello was in front for the first 20 laps but lost his lead after the first round of pit stops. Then a punctured tire after touching wheels with the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton late in the race to put him out of contention for good.

"It was sad this tire problem happened here in Brazil," Barrichello said. "But the truth is that I didn't really have a car to win the race."

He started with a lighter fuel load and the strategy proved costly, but he was poised for a podium finish if it hadn't been for the tire puncture.

Barrichello has come agonizingly close to victory at the Brazilian GP but never finished better than third, which happened in 2004 with Ferrari. A year earlier, he was leading the race with eight laps to go before a fuel problem in his Ferrari caused his retirement when he had victory within his grasp.

This year he had one of his best chances to finally come through as Brawn GP was the team to beat throughout the season and gave him the opportunity to fight for the title.

"I can't complain about how the year went for me," he said. "I have to be thankful for the season that I had."

Barrichello is F1's most experienced driver have competed in 287 races. He finished second in the drivers' standings in 2002 and 2004, both times with Ferrari.