Veteran keen to keep driving in 2012
Last Updated: November 23, 2011 10:26am
Rubens Barrichello: Staying positive ahead of his home GP
Rubens Barrichello has no intention of saying goodbye this weekend in Sao Paulo as he firmly believes he deserves his place in Formula One next season.
After 19 years competing in motor sport's elite, there is the real possibility that Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix could be the last for the 39-year-old veteran.
Williams have so far stayed silent with regard to their driver line-up for 2012, with an announcement not expected until next month.
It means Barrichello goes into his home race this weekend still in the dark as to whether he will be bowing out, or given another shot as Williams chase 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
Despite the uncertainty, Barrichello said: "My mindset is positive. I'm not going to say goodbye to people.
"After races like the last one in Abu Dhabi I deserve to still be in Formula One.
"I'm not doing it because of the money or because I want one more year in F1. I'm doing it because I enjoy it so much.
"I still think I am so competitive and deserve to be here. Twenty years (in F1) at 40 years of age. I want to be there and I'm working my balls off for that to happen."
Barrichello's performance at the Yas Marina Circuit saw him start at the back of the grid for the first time in his 322-race career, eventually finishing 12th.
"I think I showed them (Williams) that behind the wheel I'm still a boy, so I hope that gets to them," said Barrichello.
Williams chairman Adam Parr admitted in Abu Dhabi that the Grove-based team are in no rush to confirm their drivers and that it will be done "as soon as we can".
Changes
Despite what is poised to be the worst year in the team's history, the changes behind the scenes have energised Parr and he is in no doubts next year will be a turning point.
Barrichello agrees, adding: "On the engine side, structure, new thinking, motivation, everything can be a big step to next year.
"That's what I believe. I don't know if it's going to be a winning car, but it's going to be a hell of a lot better.
"The new people have really changed the vibe. The problem this year was that people left, others came in, and in between was a missing three to four months.
"There was no leadership at that time. That was the problem, but people are acclimatising quite well.
"They've done everything they could to improve this car, which is a very bad one, so they are putting all their efforts into a new one."
Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment