- 26 Oct 09, 19:13#165901
Roll the clock back 10 or 20 years and there were lots of French drivers around and not many (good) German drivers until Schumacher burst onto the scene (and Bellof before him).
This blog post claims that Barrichello has been signed for Williams in 2010 for months...
"And Mansell was lucky not to be taken off by that RIDICULOUS bit of driving by Alliot!!" - James Hunt
"AAAAAND into the pitlane..... OHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" - Murray Walker
wit the Hulk there is another German in the field, might as well call it the DF1
Roll the clock back 10 or 20 years and there were lots of French drivers around and not many (good) German drivers until Schumacher burst onto the scene (and Bellof before him).
This blog post claims that Barrichello has been signed for Williams in 2010 for months...
Everyone remember that until February, Rubinho was retired. Ross Brawn, knowing about Barrichello´s technical features, sealed the deal to have the Brazilian veteran. However, the contract was only for 4 races and so Rubens could be discarded if a strong sponsor came on board and wanted a young driver.
On the 5th race of the year, Rubinho lived a strange situation in Barcelona. Back then, he heard from an English journo that one team was going to look after him for 2010. It was Williams.
Barrichello started talks with Frank Williams. Of course, the negotiations extended and the Brazilian heard proposals from almost all new teams. Rubens knew that he wouldn´t be involved with them. In that point in time, Barrichello did not want to bet on new teams to know where it´s gonna end up.
In July, Rubens started talking with Brawn to renew his contract. Then, the Nurburgring race (and mishap) came about. The Brazilian realized the situation inside Brawn wasn´t so simple. And started wondering whether it was a good idea to stay there.
August was on and the Merc buy-in Brawn speculations started to roam, with the factory imposition of a German driver, in this case Nico Rosberg. At the end of the month, Rubinho is untouchable in his Valencia win and is quick in Spa.
There was huge interest from Williams. At Brawn´s garage, Rubens perceived the focus was on the title clinch. And then comes a huge dilemma: wait from Brawn and run the risk of being teamless, since the team could be obliged to bet on Rosberg, or open up space for other teams?
The Brazilian then got new info from Grove. And evaluated the chances of a quick car for 2010 is strong. Williams project for 2009 was very efficient. To many people, they didn´t win because the Toyota engines were below par comparing to their rivals and for their one-sided duo (only one driver capable of winning). And more: the Brazilian questioned all time what would be of Brawn´s new year since the team did not think about the 2010 project in any moment whatsoever, since the focus was to grab this year´s titles.
Rubens achieves his second win in Monza. And from Italy, he flies in his private jet to England. Arriving there, he meets Jackie Stewart, who was clueless about Rubens trip to that country. Rubens said he was heading to Brackley.
At Grove, he talked to the team personnel and signed the contract. When he was there, Sir Frank Williams arrived, which surprised Rubinho. The englishman said "I couldn´t just miss this". His presence touched Rubinho.
In the next races, Barrichello tried to lure people off the subject, ebacuse he knew the idea of leaving Brawn could harm his championship chances. I think Ross and co. knew about his deal. Meanwhile, Rubinho kept negotiating with Brawn only to appear he had no destiny set.
Interlagos came and two curious things happened. Brawn GP looked after him and asked if he already had a deal with Williams. They said they needed a position because they didn´t decide anything for 2010. That shows Jenson Button or Nico Rosberg, or both, are still unclear about whether they will be driving for Brawn next year.
But what surprised Rubinho the most at Interlagos was McLaren talking to him. The Woking outfit went after Barrichello to know if he already had a deal signed. That also shows how nothing is defined for Kovalainen´s sit.
It´s too hard to judge from the outside. I think Williams will ahve a quick car in 2010. How quick? Only then we will know. At Grove, Barrichello will be happy. The team environment is great with highly regarded F1 professionals who achieved a lot in the sport.
No one knows how Brawn will cope with the new year. And also Ross Brawn loyalty will always be shaded by doubts. At McLaren, Rubens would live the same situation he lived at Ferrari. He would be there to support Lewis Hamilton. It would be foolish of his part to go there. And even if he wanted, when they talked to him, he had already signed with Frank Williams.
For the Brazilian fans, it´s all about rooting for a nice car from Williams. Winner? Hard to believe after so many years without titles. But if allows Rubens what Nico achieved in 2009 would be a great start: to be consistently in the top 6.
Source: [blogs.jovempan.uol.com.br]
"And Mansell was lucky not to be taken off by that RIDICULOUS bit of driving by Alliot!!" - James Hunt
"AAAAAND into the pitlane..... OHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" - Murray Walker
I still think it'll pretty much pan out like we all generally think it will, these things usually have done recently.
