Barrichello and Button respond to rumors
The two former teammates at Honda and Brawn GP prefer not to listen to the rumors or to laugh at them.
In Formula One, the month of September often rhymes with transfers, and this season is no exception, as the paddock buzzes with rumors, more or less credible. The first concerns, of course, the possible return of Kimi Räikkönen, this time at the wheel of a Williams, which has been reignited following the Finn’s visit to the Grove team. The 2007 World Champion is anticipated to succeed Rubens Barrichello at the wheel of the future FW34, as the negotiations to extend the Brazilian driver’s contract have been stalling for many months. *BBC Sport* assures that Räikkönen wants to join the team and that Williams is considering it.
For the moment, however, the main parties involved do not want to comment on these allegations – or they refute them – and Rubens Barrichello, whose seat is targeted, does not wish to add fuel to the rumor mill: « At the moment, it’s the rumor season and it makes no sense. People ask me a lot of questions on my Twitter account. Whatever is said about me is not true, I cannot rely on information about other drivers. Every time I see my family, they ask me crazy questions about what they read in the press. Saying something now would create more agitation » declared the Brazilian.
Rubens Barrichello also reminds that he is determined to continue his career beyond 2011: « I definitely want to be racing next season. That’s my goal. I feel better prepared than ever. » The Paulista also tells Reuters that he can be useful to Williams in 2012: « The team is changing engines, the staff is changing, so I think I have a lot to contribute to the team. »
For his part, Jenson Button, who is rumored to be joining Maranello in 2013, prefers to laugh off the rumors: « It’s hilarious because it’s not true. I don’t know who started this, but it certainly wasn’t us or Ferrari. »
