Barrichello: My Time Is Not Up Just Yet!

Rubens Barrichello has stated he has no intention of retiring from Formula One in the near future.

Barrichello, who is the most experienced F1 driver ever at present, scored his first podium since 2005 (the last year he sat in a Ferrari cockpit), and Honda's first since 2006, at the British Grand Prix yesterday.

The Brazilian could become the oldest man on the grid when David Coulthard retires at the end of the season and has no intention in following in the Scot's footsteps!

"I will only stop if I have nowhere else to go, but my intention is to stay with Honda. I have no contracts just yet, but I feel young. I love racing more than I ever did."

So, is all of this covering up Barrichello's retirement plans... or is it a genuine commitment to another season in F1?

Personally, I feel that Barrichello will announce his retirement later this year, probably in Brazil as it is his home circuit.

He has had an awesome career. Ok, he played second man to Michael Schumacher, but when Barrichello was on form, boy was he on form! (Silverstone '03 ring any bells?)

He has scored nine wins in F1 and 62 podiums. He finished second to Schumacher in the Championship, however in normal circumstances, his 114 points would have been enough to win the title.

After his time at Ferrari, Barrichello moved to Honda, where he would partner Briton Jenson Button. His time at Honda hasn't been great. In and out of the points was not what Barrichello was used to.

In 2007 he didn't score any points, the only season he has failed to do so since his F1 career began in 1993.

A contract for 2008 meant that Rubens could break Ricardo Patrese's record of 256 Grand Prix starts.

So is it 'Goodbye F1' or 'Hello 2009'?

Many people are knocking on the door at Honda. Anthony Davidson has tested for them earlier this season suggesting he may be chasing a race seat. Takuma Sato may want to kick start his racing again.

Luca Filipi and Mike Conway have both tested for the Japenese team but GP2 records suggest a race seat won't be theirs until they are in a more competitive car.

Some rumours whisper that Fernando Alonso may join the team although I think this is highly unlikely.

My view is that Anthony Davidson or Takuma Sato will join Button at Honda in 2009. I don't think Rubens will be offered a new contract at Honda and, hopefully, Barrichello and Coulthard will bow out in Brazil together, as two of many great drivers we have seen in Formula One racing.