Barrichello’s seat also not secure at Williams

The latest rumour in formula one is that Rubens Barrichello’s longest-ever grand prix career could be set to end after the 2010 finale next month.

German rookie Nico Hulkenberg admitted in Korea that he was concerned about speculation linking the Venezuelan pay-driver and new GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado with his Williams race seat.

But a report in Auto Motor und Sport reveals that the Oxfordshire based team actually does not intend to confirm either Hulkenberg or his current teammate, the Brazilian veteran Barrichello, until the winter period.

The reason for the delay is Williams’ sponsor situation, with current backers RBS, Philips, AirAsia and McGregor all departing.

Maldonado carries a reported US $15 million in the sponsorship of state-owned petroleum company PDVSA, and the latest rumour is that Williams has not yet decided whether Hulkenberg or Barrichello is the most likely to potentially make room for the 25-year-old.

The rumour about 39-year-old Barrichello was triggered when Patrick Head, Williams’ engineering boss and the team’s second biggest shareholder, said Hulkenberg had done enough in 2010 to justify his seat.

“I think Nico has done enough, both before he entered F1 and since being in F1, to support the view that he is a justified driver,” said the Briton in Korea last weekend.

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