Rubens Barrichello

glendo · Nov 29, 2011

it's a big talking point in F1 at the moment.

Dan Smith · Nov 29, 2011

I think he'll go to HRT

Chris Jenkins · Nov 29, 2011

HRT would be crazy to have 2 guys in their 40s.
No team development there at all.

Bram Hengeveld · Nov 29, 2011

I think he drove his last race this weekend. Probably will become a full time simracer

Péter Bártfai · Nov 29, 2011

I see it possible that he'll still drive the Williams next year. If not, and he decides to spend more time simracing, I hope he'll find us, it would be awesome to race against someone like him!

Chris Butcher · Nov 29, 2011

I feel that he probably won't find a drive.

That said, rumour had it that Kimi was going to Williams - and he went to Lotus Renault. So I guess the door could still be open for Rubens.

I like Rubens, I really want him to be racing next year. He deserves to be able to choose when his career ends. Not just find himself out of a drive. Plus, IMO, he's better than Maldonado anyway and he's only there because of the sponsor money he takes with him.

Adam Hartwell · Nov 29, 2011

He'll be there.

My993C2 · Nov 29, 2011

Based on the passionate interview he gave the BBC folks after the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix, Rubens still wants to race. But I doubt very much he will find a ride. There are just too many young guns lining up for their crack at F1. I suspect Rubens will be forced out of F1 in 2012 and I also fear that Adrian Sutil may also be forced out of the sport.

William Levesque · Nov 29, 2011

Someone from the staff team should get his butt over here !

Danny Asbury · Nov 29, 2011

Is he actually a simracer?

Péter Bártfai · Nov 29, 2011

Yes he is, there were a couple of articles about that. He drives in a Brazilian STCC 2/Game Stock Car league I believe. (along with Massa)

Ryan Soucy · Nov 29, 2011

He should go to the F1 graveyard: DTM... he can team up with Ralf and DC!

Chris Jenkins · Nov 29, 2011

I'm sure Paul Di Resta (2010 DTM Champion) would be thrilled to hear DTM being called the F1 Graveyard!

Adam Eggbeer · Nov 29, 2011

Danny Asbury said:
Is he actually a simracer?

Yep, he tweeted some photos of him and Webber on his personalised rig.

I hope Rubens gets a drive next year and with Kimi now at Lotus and Maldonado's government backing under review, he has a good chance of staying with Williams. He's also said he is not interested in a large retainer so that will suit Williams.

Markus Neumann · Nov 29, 2011

First of all, I think that if he doesn't stay at Williams, he'll quit. I can't see a veteran of 19 years F1 experience mucking around in an HRT, that would be just sad

He will stay if either:

1) Sutil stays at Force India. I'm pretty sure that Williams would prefer Sutil over Barrichello - he's faster, he's got a future, and he's got $$$.
2) Maldonado loses his financial backing and gets kicked.

I don't really see Bottas coming in unless Maldonado leaves, having a rookie + the worst driver on the grid would be a surefire way to bring about Williams' downfall.