Barrichello had to wait until the new year to pose in his new overalls

The Brazilian joins Honda, formerly BAR-Honda, after six seasons as Michael Schumacher's team-mate.

"In the past I have never left Ferrari, because I have always thought that there was nothing better," Barrichello told Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport.

"But I am now happy to be joining a new team - at this moment it is better than the red one."

He's not going to say Ferrari are way better than Honda is he From T Have your say on Five Live

The 33-year-old Brazilian remained contracted to Ferrari, who were champions every year from 2000 to 2004, until the end of last year.

That meant he had to wait until this year before he could test for his new team, which has not won a race, or even pose in his new overalls.

But he is scheduled to get his first taste of his new team when F1 testing resumes next week.

Button 'faces make or break year'

"I am very happy to be joining not just a new team but in particular to be joining Honda," said Barrichello, who will be team-mate to England's Jenson Button.

Honda take full control of BAR

"The programme for our new car seems good. It just remains for us to try the machine on track."

Honda took full control of the former BAR-Honda team in October after buying out tobacco giant BAT's 55% shareholding.