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Rubens Barrichello refuses to give up hope on F1 career

Page last updated at 11:59 GMT, Thursday, 10 November 2011

By Sarah Holt
BBC Sport at Yas Marina

Barrichello blames car for poor performance

Rubens Barrichello hopes the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix will not be his final race in Formula 1 even though he has yet to secure a drive in 2012.

Ex-champion Kimi Raikkonen and Force India's Adrian Sutil have been linked with the Brazilian's Williams seat.

But Barrichello, 39, said in Abu Dhabi: "I might go to Brazil without any confirmation but I'm not saying goodbye to my fans.

"I want to be here next year and taking the risk. I'm waiting for an answer."

BARRICHELLO IN FORMULA 1

• Grands Prix: 324
• Podiums: 68
• Points: 658
• Race wins: 11
• Former teams: Jordan, Stewart, Ferrari, Honda, Brawn

Barrichello did not directly answer a suggestion that it might be better to know about his future before preparing for what could be his final home race in Sao Paulo on 27 November.

BBC Sport understands Williams are unlikely to keep Barrichello on for a third season in 2012.

Raikkonen has revealed in the Finnish press that he has been talking with Williams about returning to F1 after a two-year absence from the sport. Sutil is also understood to have held talks with the team.

Pastor Maldonado, who is sponsored by Venezuela's national oil company, is expected to keep his seat with Williams for 2012.

Barrichello, who has scored two points this season to Maldonado's one, remains philosophical about his chances of winning a new contract.

"Everyone that is in contention has something good to give to the team," said Barrichello, a former race-winner for Ferrari and Brawn Grand Prix.

"I can not talk anything bad about Kimi, I cannot talk anything bad about anyone really. We all are in contention. I just hope I'm the better option.

"F1 has become a business in a way and I think situations have been considered by the team. I just have to wait and see.

"I'm positive. If God wishes, I will be on the grid for my 20th year."

Sutil could come into the frame for Williams as he finds his Force India seat under pressure from former Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg, while Scotland's Paul di Resta is expected to stay on at Force India after a solid rookie season.

When asked in Abu Dhabi about his future at Force India, Sutil said there had been "no real progress".

And pressed on his talks with Williams, the German said: "I'm not sharing it with you."

He added that there had been "no real progress" on this future ahead of this weekend's penultimate race in Abu Dhabi.

ADRIAN SUTIL IN 2011

• Points: 30
• Standings position: 11th
• Best finish: 6th in Germany
• Top-10 finishes: 7
• Retirements: 2

"I don't think after so many years doing a good job in this team I have to shiver and think about my future," said Sutil, who is in his fourth season for Force India.

"I'm relaxed. I like this team but if it doesn't work out then I'll find something else."

Sutil, 28, said he had spoken to Force India team boss Vijay Mallya about his future since the last race in India

"Vijay told me some things that I can't share with you at the moment but we are all agreed we wanted to announce it as soon as possible," he said.

Credit: BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)