Brawn praises departing Barrichello
02/11/2009 - 19:33:51Ross Brawn has paid today tribute to Rubens Barrichello whose Indian summer in Formula One will continue with Williams next year.
Williams today unsurprisingly confirmed veteran Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg as their line-up for 2010, with Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima making way.
Rosberg is almost certain to switch to Brawn GP to link up with Jenson Button, providing the new world champion can thrash out a deal with the Brackley-based team.
Button was forced to fend off a title charge from Barrichello after sweeping aside the Brazilian in the opening seven races when he was victorious in six of those.
The 37-year-old was forced to settle for third in the drivers' standings come the end of the season in Abu Dhabi yesterday, finishing 18 points adrift of Button.
Although deciding not to renew Barrichello's contract, team boss Brawn is delighted Barrichello is remaining in the sport.
"Rubens was with our team for four years and we regard him as a highly experienced and talented driver whose contribution to the team over that period was significant," commented Brawn.
"This year was a very special season for Brawn GP and I'm extremely proud of the spirit in which our drivers fought for the championship.
"Rubens contributed hugely to our success in the constructors' championship with two great victories in Valencia and Monza, along with numerous podiums, and he was a pleasure to work with."
Barrichello is the most experienced driver in Formula One history, having made 284 starts, and in joining Williams will now pass the 300-race milestone next year.
Team principal Frank Williams said: "Rubens needs no introduction.
"He is not only the most experienced driver in Formula One, but a passionate and talented driver who fought hard for the championship this year."
Williams will be Barrichello's sixth team after starting at Jordan in 1993 before moving on to Stewart, Ferrari, Honda and then Brawn, chalking up 11 wins.
Barrichello insisted on Thursday Williams are a team "anyone would look at" as they are "one of the best teams out there, and are on their way up".
Williams, though, could only finish seventh in the constructors' championship this year, with Nakajima ending the season with the unenviable record of failing to score a point from the 17 races.
The team itself has not won a race since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix, yet Barrichello claimed his motivation for carrying on racing is that he wants to win.
"I have a lot of passion for speed, for overtaking, for the things that pump me up, the challenge of winning," said Barrichello.
"I want to go on and have a chance to keep on winning."
At 22, Hulkenberg is 15 years Barrichello's junior, yet he is a highly-rated prospect worthy of his seat after winning this year's GP2 title.
Hulkenberg's rise is phenomenal as it was only seven years ago he was Germany's junior karting champion, since when he has gone onto win titles in Formula BMW, A1GP and the Formula 3 Euroseries.
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