Barrichello leaves the door open for a return
Rubens Barrichello will not be on the starting grids of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2012, but the Brazilian driver believes his F1 career is not over and could very well see himself returning to F1 in the coming years.
Rubens Barrichello will not be at the start of the Australian Grand Prix in just over two weeks. The Brazilian driver has not been retained by the Williams team for 2012, thus ending 19 consecutive seasons in Formula 1.
Barrichello has decided to race in IndyCar for 2012, doing the entire season including oval races. But the record holder for the number of Grand Prix raced keeps F1 in the back of his mind and does not rule out a possible return in 2013 or later, as Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen have recently done.
«I keep my mind very open, I keep my mind probably like Schumacher did (when he retired), and like Kimi (Räikkönen) did as well. You never know what might happen. And if I’m no longer in Formula 1, I’d still stay in the sphere. I feel like making my exit when I’m 60 or something like that!» Rubens Barrichello revealed in an interview with Autosport.
The Brazilian believes that not knowing until late whether or not he would be extended by Williams did not allow him to find an alternative solution. He remains optimistic about his chances of returning to F1.
«You never know what Formula 1 is made of. People know what I am capable of, and they know that I am an experienced driver. With so few tests, it’s obviously something very sought after. Last year was difficult because all the contracts were already signed.»
The Brazilian driver also reiterated to the British magazine that he held no grudge against Bruno Senna, who replaced him at Williams. He only expressed disappointment with the way the Williams team informed him that he was not retained for 2012.
