Brawn bids farewell to 'talented' Barrichello

Tuesday 3rd November 2009

Ross Brawn has paid tribute to Rubens Barrichello whose Indian summer in Formula One will continue with Williams next year.

Williams on Monday 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.

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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Your Comments

Chylout

"jeanalesi lets hit the facts. Post Silverstone Jenson's problems were qualifying related only. Almost every race (with the exceptions of Valencia and Monza) Jenson outraced Rubens. He came from lower on the grid to beat him in Germany, Abu Dhabi and Singapore, he finished in his wheeltracks in Japan despite starting 4 places behind. He beat him in Abu Dhabi and Brazil (and ok in Brazil that was down to Rubens' puncture but when you consider they started 1st and 14th and then look at how the race panned out you see just how far superior Jenson was). And that's the story of the second half - bad qualy but 2 races excepting Jenson has raced the nuts off Rubens, and its the races that get you the points"

JeanAlesi

"In 2008, Rubens beat Jenson fair and square, both in qualy and in racing, including a podium earned after a brilliant drive in Silverstone. In 2009, just after sorting the braking issues, Rubens also beat Jenson fair and square both in qualy and in racing (just compare their grid positions and points earned from Silverstone onwards). Barrichello may not be an Alonso or a R�ikk�nen, but he's better than Button for sure. The difference in performance from the two Brawn drivers before and after Silverstone is blatant, but most people don't notice it because just after it, Red Bull started getting most points from Brawn, and then people just remember the first races in which Button won 6 out of 7."

over

"Why all the fuss about Button %?

Jenson is a good number 2..Barichello out drove Jenson

towards mid season..�in 2008 Rb out qualified JB 10 to 8)

Barichello has 11 race wins.. he finished runner up in 2002 and 2004 .

In 2009 baricello finished third

Barichello was �m,�schumacher`|s srongest teamate..

Button is no true world Champion..

Nico Rosberg will send button on a one way ticket to minardi(toro rosso)..

Williams will win races next year...

Is it possible that williams may be powered by BMW F1

ENGINES ? Will the BMW f1 engines come equiped with their kers system..

RUBENS is the most unlucky driver in f1..

dr0know0it0all

"rubens is better than jenson in quily but the race where you score points and that is where jenson is leaps aheat they have same the car and jenson beat him they had the same car and shumi beat him. hes the best no.2 in the world"

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