Barrichello signs for Brackley's F1 team


By Phil Huff
March 3 2009

Rubens Barrichello will continue his Formula One career in 2009, racing alongside Jenson Button at the ex-Honda F1 team. Whilst it was widely accepted that Bruno Senna was the front runner for the team, once the management buy out led by Ross Brawn came to prominence, Barrichello's chances increased as his experience is well regarded by the team boss.

Rubens will return to Brackley for a fourth consecutive season, after joining the then Honda Racing F1 team for 2006. Despite a pointless season in 2007, Barrichello surpassed Button's efforts last year to secure a single podium finish at Silverstone, finishing the season ahead of the Briton.

It is understood that Rubens will be on a one year deal at Brackley, with options to extend that will need to be taken before the end of the year. He will line up alongside Jenson Button, who remains at the team for a seventh straight season after extending his contract before Honda pulled out.

Bruno Senna, despite having the support of Bernie Ecclestone and Honda Motor Co, will not be contracted, and will no doubt be taking up a second option in another series. Whilst rumoured to be a DTM entry in Germany, we understand that is wide of the mark and that another 'interesting' opportunity exists.

A formal announcement of the new team structure is imminent, with the team due to shakedown the car this week. The test team will then be heading over to Barcelona to join the group test on 9-12 March.

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