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Barrichello ponders move to Indycar
ESPNF1 Staff
February 8, 2012
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Rubens Barrichello on track in the KV Racing IndyCar during a private test at the end of January © Sutton Images
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Rubens Barrichello is set to decide next week whether he will switch from Formula One to the Indycar series for 2012 following the decision by Williams not to retain him for the current season.
Barrichello recently enjoyed an Indy test with the KV team, in which his close friend Tony Kanaan is involved. "There is a lot going on, we have spoken with many people and there are things to be resolved, including the family aspect," he told radio Bandeirantes on Tuesday. "There is great anticipation and if everything goes well I think we can make the announcement of the decision early next week.
"I'm sure anyone who knows me can see in my eyes what I want. The first race is March 25 and there is no time to waste. If we want to be in a competitive way, everything has to be right and that means sponsorship, team, family … everything."
Barrichello's first F1 team boss, Eddie Jordan, has urged him to not be tempted to make the switch. "I love Rubens," he told Globo. "Our story began when he was only 19. I love his family, his parents, and I think he should retire with dignity."
And fellow Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi, who twice won the Indianapolis 500, warned of the dangers of American oval racing. "Today, Indy is different to when I drove. The risk is higher but it is a risk that he knows he will need to take. Still, I think he can have fun doing what he likes."
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I would be thrilled to have Barrichello in the field. I think he simply outgrew his usefulness in F1, but in Indy he could be right at the top and even Champion. Dignity.. pfft. I think it would be great to have another F1 driver show these people how to drive!
Posted byIt most definitely does not have trouble turning right. IRC the Indycar season only has 4 ovals, including Indy, and the rest are road courses and street courses. I would tell Rubens to do it. Eddie Jordan can sit and spin. If Rubens wanted to retire he would. He obviously wants to race, and a year racing Indycars is better than a year not racing and sitting on F1's sidelines waiting for an opportunity.
Posted byThere are only four ovals on the schedule for this season. That could really influence his decision if he's worried about that type of racing.
Posted byThe risk, especially at Indy, is way lower than when Emo was driving. It's not a high-banked oval, it's a 4-turn road course you actually have to drive through, so you don't get pack racing. The SAFER barrier has transformed the place IMO, and the new car probably makes even the little ovals safer. I'm just as old as Rubens, and I have a family too, but if I had his talent, experience, and an opportunity like this, I'd take it. If he wanted to retire with dignity, he should have done it when he left Ferrari. This is a much better opportunity than anything he's going to get in F1.
Posted byWow, beautiful car!!! Rubens is getting the best looking ride of the season! Too bad it has trouble turning right...