Rubens admits to Williams talks
October 13, 2009 by SJ Skid
Filed under F1B Op-Ed, People & Events, SJ Skid, Top Story
Rubens Barrichello is in talks with both Williams and his current team, Brawn GP, as the Brazilian seeks to secure a race seat in 2010.
The BBC is reporting the news, which has been a pretty strong rumor for days now. [Nothing ever was strong enough to go with; I didn't see it even as strong as the Kimi to Red Bull rumor, which was pretty weak but oh-so-fun to think about.]
The story is pretty short, which suggests both the Beeb’s haste to get it online and the lack of much to work with beyond Rubens’ acknowledgment quotes:
Brawn GP driver Rubens Barrichello says he has opened negotiations with Williams as he seeks to secure a Formula 1 drive for next season.
The Brazilian said Williams are among a number of options available to him.
“I haven’t signed with anybody yet, but it’s true that I’m talking with Williams and Brawn,” he said.
The 37-year-old is 14 points behind Brawn team-mate Jenson Button in the drivers’ world championship with two races remaining in the 2009 season.
Barrichello is preparing for the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, his home circuit where he is yet to win a race, on 18 October.
Following a six-year spell at Ferrari, Barrichello joined Honda in 2005 and was retained by new team Brawn GP when the Japanese team withdrew from Formula 1 in December 2008.
He remains the most experienced F1 driver with 286 races in 17 seasons but has yet to win the world championship.
The back story, not fleshed out by the BBC in this piece, is that Rubens’ mid-year battles with his team probably led to his not being snatched back up. The team also could be trying to free up money to re-sign Jenson Button, the favorite to win the driver’s championship.
I don’t know if Nico Rosberg necessarily will demand less money than Rubens, however.
Does Williams seem a better fit for Rubens than Brawn? The team is bringing in GP2 champ Nico Hulkenberg, and I surmise that Sir Frank didn’t want to risk looking like he was copying Toro Rosso’s playbook of hiring drivers with the same names.
I think if Rubens were content to help show a promising new driver the ropes, he could be a terrific teammate for Hulkenberg. But if he narrowly misses the championship this year, I wonder if he will be so content. And how will he feel in a Williams car that, at this stage, is not showing itself to be a top chassis?
I’ve absolutely loved Rubens’ enthusiasm during this season, especially the second half — and I largely understood the problems he had with the team early on. I just wonder if calling it quits this season might be the best way for him to go out on a high, as part of a constructors’ championship team with individual wins to his name. That’s not a bad final year. [It's better than Schumacher's!]
Loading ...
It seems like something is brewing at Williams. On the surface, their interest in Cosworth seems like a step backwards. However, I read where Red Bull might actually be considering Cossie too. (?????!!!!!)
Since the Cosworth is Max Mosley’s pet project, is it possible that they are receiving a little extra opportunity at “equalizing” their engine? Next year, fuel efficiency will play a larger role, so this might shift the balance of power. We know the FIA is allowing Cosworth to bring their ‘06 powerplant up to ‘10 specs. What better way for Cosworth to make their engines extra special in the name of engine parity.
Rubens could be meeting the perfect storm two years in a row, first with the Brawn and its 18-month development cycle, and maybe next year with Williams perhaps being the best team carrying a charmed powerplant that is Mad Max’s going away present to the F1 community.
If you were Red Bull, wouldn’t you be looking for a new lump? Or a shorter season? :)
I like the idea that next year’s “silver bullet” (you can guess this year’s… a hint… “double”) will be the Cosworth engine. That’s some inspired thinking.
And maybe right.
This year could be a happy end of a long career, but Rubens doesn’t seems wanting give up.. Next year he’ll reach 300 gp, an astonishing result. Iseems clear that Brawn wants Rosberg, as part of the Mercedes deal: that implies Jenson will win the title, because is really difficult thinking Ross Brawn let go away Rubens with the nr 1..
Anyway Rubens had few possibility against Button, he’ is still in competition because he represente a back up against Vettel if something really wrong happens to Jenson.
Williams is a fantastic chance for him: FW and Patrick Head love experienced drivers, remember Patrese, and Barrichello in his last experience could be a perfect mate for Hulkemberg, who seems to be the next big thing in F1
well done old rubino!
“because is really difficult thinking Ross Brawn let go away Rubens with the nr 1..”
Renault let Alonso go with number one on car didn’t they and they are officially “Cheaters” in F1.
Though my heart wants Rubens to bean Jenson Brittle to the title, head says the initial surge that Brittle had will see him crawl away with the title.
Renault couldn’t let win the title to his other driver, Fisico wasn’t running for the championship..