2009 - Barachello to AGR, Marco to HondaF1

[BobGarage]

aparently the two will switch rides for 09.

http://www.motorsport-total.com/f1/news/2008/04/Barrichello_Die_IndyCar-Serie_lockt_08042202.html

[ShiftingGears]

Apparently motorsport-total is completely wrong!

Marco wasn't impressive in the test and Honda should get a proven replacement for Barrichello. Because Barrichello, while not blindingly quick, is a fairly solid driver. Can't see it happening.

[Ranger]

This is being reported as 'rumoured' on several F1 sites.

Barrichello to AGR seems slightly faesible.

Andretti to HondaF1 does not.

[MAX_THRUST]

Can't see it happenning really can you?????

Barichello is looking for one more year in F1, although it would be great to see him in the IRL, but I doubt it.

With no US GP why would they put a US driver in, Hideko Mutoh will go before Andretti does.

[DBell]

Can't say I see Rubens wanting to take the oval risk at this late stage of his career, but who knows? Maybe he has a desire to race Indy.

As for Marco, he's not ready for F1. If he can't be a consistent top running driver in the IRL, he'll be buried in F1. He'd better consider a year of GP2 and F1 testing or his F1 career may end up being shorter than his Father's.

[dataman1]

Pure hog wash. One uninformed media person speculates and all the other use them as a quotable source.

[bblocker68]

Marco is not ready. He'd definitely need a year of getting knocked around in GP2 before stepping up to the big boy cars.

[garyshell]

aparently the two will switch rides for 09.

http://www.motorsport-total.com/f1/news/2008/04/Barrichello_Die_IndyCar-Serie_lockt_08042202.html


What a stinking load of *****.

Regardless if Marco is ready or not, do any of you think that Michael or Mario would allow Marco to take a ride in the pig that Honda puts on the F1 track each week? The car is a piece of junk, incapable of winning anything. There is no way the Andretti family would pitch Marco under that bus.

Gary

[harvick#1]

if the car isn't a Ferrari or McLaren, they are all slow pigs, although BMW and Williams are not as badas the others.

Marco is one of the best chances for a US driver back in it, but hes not ready yet IMO

[keysersoze]

What a stinking load of *****.

Regardless if Marco is ready or not, do any of you think that Michael or Mario would allow Marco to take a ride in the pig that Honda puts on the F1 track each week? The car is a piece of junk, incapable of winning anything. There is no way the Andretti family would pitch Marco under that bus.

Gary

True, but Marco ain't getting any of the good rides, so he has to do the next best thing--beat his teammate

And that ain't happenin' either.

[gofastandwynn]

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/080423085941.shtml


Rubens Barrichello has received an offer to see out his long motor racing career in America, according to reports.

The German newspaper Bild claims the 35-year-old, who next month will set a new benchmark as the longest serving grand prix driver in history, has been asked to run with the Andretti-Green IndyCar team in 2009.

Barrichello's current contract with the F1 team Honda, owned by the Japanese marque that also equips Andretti-Green – and the series - with engines, runs out at the end of 2008.

Bild raises the possibility of a seat 'swap'; Barrichello to IRL in exchange for Andretti-Green's Marco Andretti, the 21-year-old American son of former McLaren driver Michael Andretti, whose own father Mario won the world championship in 1978.

Reportedly, the American broadcaster Speed TV cited Barrichello as confirming the offer.

Marco Andretti has already collected about 900 kilometres of testing in a Honda F1 car

[namarow]

Nepotism sucks. He aint that good period.

[Chris R]

Marco is not good enough for F-1 - he makes too many "rookie" mistakes - breaking half-shafts on a car is has no excuse not to be used to by now is just plain crazy....

Notice to all IndyCar forum members.......

The article is from Bild, the German tabloid/gutter press publication. Think National Enquirer with umlouts.

It is therefore only to be rated as 'Stierausscheidung'

[PSfan]

Well a Few thoughts:

First, Never thought spinning out on the first lap at Honda's "home" race would leave such a good impression :p : Wonder if this is Button's choice? After last year I would have thought that this would be how Alonso would pick his team-mates, hadn't realised Jensen was that insecure too :p :

With the Potential of Super Aguri closing shop, I would think either driver would be higher up on the "Honda F1 driver" ladder. Davidson just for his loyalty, Sato for his spirited race in Montreal last year.

With Rahals win, I would expect (not that its likely) that any F1 team looking towards Indy for talent should probably hold off a little longer before they make any decisions.

Barrichello in Indycars would be great, but considering he will be breaking the most career starts in F1 record this year it may come off as a driver that is to old for F1, be nice if it was a younger F1 race winner, comming over. (But heck once he has some oval experience, once Rubens is to old for Indycars, he can step right into Nascar :p : )

Well Depending on the Super Aguri outcome, if they are still around, and are still partnered up with Honda next year, then it might make a little more sense for Marco to spend a season with that team. Spending a year at Minardi hardly hurt Alonso's career...

[Lousada]

The manufacturers are of course firstly interested in winning. But if that doesn't work, they need to get exposure another way. Andretti to F1 would generate a huge amount of interest to the Honda F1 team. If instead Davidson got the seat, nobody would care. I don't think any driver can make something out of that Honda, so they might as well go with the guy who gives the most exposure.
But, I still think this scenario won't happen.

[NickFalzone]

poss on Barrichello, very unlikely on Marco. Yes, he did win at Sonoma, but no way he'll be ready for F1 at the end of this season. And after Michael's experience I see no possible way he would let Marco go to a weak team. Marco would be in and out within the year. The endless IndyCar silly season has panned out pretty well, but this is one rumor I'd take with a huge grain of salt.

[Madmonk]

I'd like to see Barrichello in Indycar, even if its only for the road courses. But I don't think Marco is going anywhere until he wins the series outright. (If it ever happens).

Alternatively, I have my own wild Honda related-prediction: Takuma Sato to Indycar, possibly in place of Mutoh.

It's on my Indycar wish list along with Walker Racing, Paul Tracy, A.J. Allmendinger, Scott Speed, and Sam Hornish Jr.

[ShiftingGears]

It'd be much more likely to see one of the ex-CCWS guys in F1. Even then, the chances of that are approximately 0%.

[ShiftingGears]

It's been rubbished, unsurprisingly.
http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/66812

[Placid]

Can't say I see Rubens wanting to take the oval risk at this late stage of his career, but who knows? Maybe he has a desire to race Indy.

As for Marco, he's not ready for F1. If he can't be a consistent top running driver in the IRL, he'll be buried in F1. He'd better consider a year of GP2 and F1 testing or his F1 career may end up being shorter than his Father's.
I will agree on that. It will be like 2006 deja vu when Mikey put in an Indy Car seat in which he supposed to take an Atlantic series seat after his Star Mazda
season. For Marco heading into F1, it requires for at least 2 years of testing,
or what DBell said. I want to add A1GP for winter competition so he can
get used to all the international tracks.

[bblocker68]

Reubens made it sound pretty clear this weekend that he is planning on staying in F1 for as long as he possibly can.

I'd throw this rumor in the bin.

[Chaparral66]

If Reubens wants to race in the US, I bet he'd take a long look at ALMS before Indy Cars. But that is pure speculation.

[call_me_andrew]

Barrichello has stated an interest in running the Indy 500. The idea of him joining the IndyCar Series is pretty likely.

I believe Marco was only 2 seconds off the pace in his first test with Honda. That's not so bad for a first time.