Rubens Barrichello has urged the Williams team to keep its current line-up for the 2012 season, rather than replacing himself with another pay driver/rookie.
It’s believed the Grove based outfit are considering a second pay driver alongside Pastor Maldonado. The Venezuelan brings in an estimated £18 million in sponsorship through his country’s government owned oil company, PDVSA.
This would likely see Barrichello, now 39-years of age, retire from the sport having competed in well over 300 grands prix. Though the Brazilian says he has discussed his future with other teams.
“I have other things going on in F1, and I have talked to other people too,” he said. “My feeling right now is unless Williams have money problems, they should stick with what they have right now: a very experienced and very motivated driver with a young driver developing himself.
“To have two kids for next year is the wrong thing to have. I am just waiting on my side. I cannot offer any more.”
Barrichello is certain he still has what is needed to win races as long as he can get a decent car under him, as proven with Brawn GP in 2009 when he won two races with the team.
“You are there because you enjoy it, because you love what you do,” he added. “You feel competitive because you beat your team-mate and you do well. If I have the chance of grabbing a nice car I know I can win.
“To be here 20 years for the sake of being here, I would rather stay home. I have had enough of the politics and so on, but I still want to drive the fastest car, which is an F1 car.”
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