Rubens says it's F1 or he'll park it

[CNR]

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x466652697/Veteran-driver-says-its-F1-or-hell-park-it


Rubens Barrichello says he’ll retire if he fails to find a ride in Formula One next year. The 36-year-old Brazilian driver dismissed the possibility of a move to the Indy Racing League or any other series.
“Either I stay in F1 or I won’t race,” Barrichello said late Tuesday.
Barrichello has competed in the most grands prix (271) of any Formula One driver.

[CNR]

i think he would have a better chance of winning a race in a Toro Rosso then honda but if he is to goto Toro Rosso that will mean that they will be bringing on a new young driver ? or have redbull droped the young driver program

[F1boat]

I am unpleasantly surprised by this. I thought that he'd like to race in the Indy 500 or in the ALMS, like Gil de Ferran.

[ArrowsFA1]

It would be a damn shame if Rubens has to walk away from F1 now. If that was going to happen it should have done so at his home GP, the final race of the season, when there could have been a proper farewell.

It's strange, but the same kind of thing happened to Patrese after the 1993 Australian GP. The media were focussed on Prost's final race but Riccardo hadn't announced any retirement plans. He simply said "if I get a top team, I drive. If not, I stay at home.”

Perhaps Rubens will be staying at home as well :(

[Marshall]

I hope he doesn't - he deserves a proper send-off.

[52Paddy]

I always liked Rubens. I hope he gets a shot at next year. I believe with a good car he could still bring decent results to the table. He was so overshadowed by the events of 2008 and the crap car didn't help.

[Bezza]

Considering he outperformed Button this year, then he should stay at Honda and Button should be the one more wary of his job.

People are always saying "your never too young" which winds me up - because the reverse is also true "your never too old!" but this is never said!

[BDunnell]

Considering he outperformed Button this year, then he should stay at Honda and Button should be the one more wary of his job.

Absolutely.

[Roamy]

I am unpleasantly surprised by this. I thought that he'd like to race in the Indy 500 or in the ALMS, like Gil de Ferran.

boat
very few F1 drivers have a interest in going over 200mph next to a cement wall. So not much is left other than AGp1 if they can get a ride. Other than that put on the fenders and stand by!!

[PolePosition_1]

I like Rubens, and think he deserves another year.

But its such a risk for Honda. And with such short term benefits, you have to question whether or not its worth while.

They put a rookie or Rubens, there is a risk both will be crap. But if both good, they can have a rookie for several years, with Rubens, it'll only ever be 1 year, 2 at a very big push.

[yodasarmpit]

I wish him all the best, Rubins has always been one of the best loved drivers in the field, I just hope he doesn't do a DC and stay one year too long.

[52Paddy]

Just on this note, who here reckons that Rubens' record of GP starts will be beaten? When and by whom?

I'd say its unlikely any of the current crop will do it. Jarno Trulli would have the best chance in my opinion. He's been racing in F1 since 1997 (over 200 starts to his name) and, by the looks of things, in good sted for the future. Its still a tough benchmark that Rubens has set, however.

[CNR]

1993 16 races
1994 16 races
1995 17 races
1996 16 races
1997 17 races
1998 16 races
1999 16 races
2000 17 races
2001 17 races
2002 17 races
2003 16 races
2004 18 races
2005 19 races
2006 18 races
2007 17 races
2008 18 races

6 X 16 races = 96
6 x 17 races = 102
3 X 18 races = 54
1 x 19 race = 19
total 271

6 years with 2 extra races = 12 races
6 years with 1 extra races = 6 races

so it it was to stay at 18 races it would take 1 les year to beat him

[Valve Bounce]

I am unpleasantly surprised by this. I thought that he'd like to race in the Indy 500 or in the ALMS, like Gil de Ferran.

................or Le Mans. Stirling Moss loved Le Mans.

[52Paddy]

1993 16 races
1994 16 races
1995 17 races
1996 16 races
1997 17 races
1998 16 races
1999 16 races
2000 17 races
2001 17 races
2002 17 races
2003 16 races
2004 18 races
2005 19 races
2006 18 races
2007 17 races
2008 18 races

6 X 16 races = 96
6 x 17 races = 102
3 X 18 races = 54
1 x 19 race = 19
total 271

6 years with 2 extra races = 12 races
6 years with 1 extra races = 6 races

so it it was to stay at 18 races it would take 1 les year to beat him

Thanks for going to the trouble and finding that out. :up: