Comments on: Rubens Barrichello confirmed at ‘Honda’

By: Polak

Polak — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:31:12 +0000

I didn’t like this situation. I wanted Ruebens to stay and Senna to be in F1.

By: Antifia

Antifia — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:49:52 +0000

Odd how longevity and lack of talent seem to go hand in hand in F1. You know, Jack Laffite, Ricardo Patrese, David Coultard, Barrichelo, Trulli, Fisi….They must have a couple of thousands of GPs among them.

By: Pink Peril

Pink Peril — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:13:28 +0000

I’m really glad to see Rubens back, maybe. Only 3 weeks until Melbourne and boy oh boy are Brawnracing or whatever they calling themselves cutting it fine to actually be on the grid regardless of who they announce as drivers.

Rubens deserves a far better send off that the one he was given at the end of last year. I hate to see a man forced out before he is ready to hang up his helmet, especially when he still feels like he has something left to give. Of course this is not good news for Senna, and I do feel for him. But I think there will be other opportunities for Bruno, whereas this may well be the last one for Rubens.

Of course, if Prodrive were competing this year like they were supposed to, there might be room on the grid for both of them …

By: Pete Walker

Pete Walker — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:46:09 +0000

‘The Chain’ returning and Rubens staying on for another record breaking season. Two of the best bits of news so far this year.

By: ajokay

ajokay — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:01:48 +0000

Trouble is though, with the testing ban this year, I doubt he’d get any F1 miles under his belt. Although I guess he could be employed as a ‘reserve driver’. At least his name would then be on the books. Better than the kick in the teeth, as they say.

By: Stealthman

Stealthman — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:31:18 +0000

While I feel bad for Senna, it’s great to see Rubinho in F1 for at least one more year.

By: Gman

Gman — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:24:29 +0000

It’s obviously good for Rubens, and good for the team- he’s got the experience and won’t be dejected if the team spends more time at the back of the grid than they would like.

By: Gman

Gman — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:08:10 +0000

I took note that last season was the first for some time when there were no in-season driver changes, and there is minimal movement this season. It’s a good thing for the sport in my opinion, but we obviously need more teams to get more drivers into the sport.

By: Dane

Dane — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:06:23 +0000

Lets hope that we see Bruno in F1 in the near dfuture

By: The Limit

The Limit — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:04:02 +0000

I am disappointed that it appears Bruno Senna has been overlooked for a 2009 drive, yet upbeat that Rubens
Barrichello has been given another chance.
Surely this is a good indication that Ross Brawn his commanding some serious clout within the former Honda team, and it is conveniant, as both Brawn and Barrichello obviously get along due to their years
together at Ferrari.
If I were Brawn though, I would put Bruno Senna on the
sidelines as a test driver for a year to give the guy
experience and road miles in an F1 car. Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa both spent a year off apiece testing for their teams during their careers, and it both moulded them into better, more mature drivers.
What goes against Senna his is extremely short racing career of only five years in top competition. However, going to DTM would be a huge mistake, possibly for both parties.
As others have stressed in the months since Senna has been linked with F1, letting Bruno slip only risks
encouraging a rival team to aquire him, and the name alone is a big incentive.
In the real world however, you have to win the GP2
championship to be considered for F1, as proven in the cases of Rosberg and Hamilton, which were both
no brainer decisions. I really hope Senna makes it, my fingers are crossed for you mate!

By: Jay Menon

Jay Menon — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:40:40 +0000

Come to thinks of it, Trulli and Fisi are well placed for some shockers on slicks, don’t know bout old Rubinho though, depends how good his car is. I’m sure these guys will adapt to it quicker. Having said that, Fernando Alonso was mentioning that slicks suit his driving style better, so I presume that quite a few of the rest would mind the change either.

On Senna not getting the drive, I think Ross Brawn made the right desicion. Senna was impressive in GP2 last year, but not consistent at all. Out of 20 (Feat & Sprnt) races, he only managed 2 wins and 6 podiums. Then again, Giorgio Pantano only managed 4 wins and 3 podiums. He should race in GP2 again, dominate the championship in the manner of Rosberg and Hamilton and that will re-inforce his credentials. Not much of drive left though. I disagree that he should go to F2, the driver on the roster are a joke of a competition of Bruno, he should be competing against higher calibre.

By: Toby

Toby — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:46:35 +0000

My thoughts exactly. Didn’t Rubens’ promise start to fade after grooved tyres were introduced? Obviously joining Ferrari didn’t flatter him, but he was in the best car for 5 seasons, hence his race wins. He could come out flying in whatever Brackley (it’s not Honda anymore – let’s not give them any more free press) gives him, and along with the need to re-prove himself, it could well be Jenson signing with USF1 next year!

These older guys should shine this season – watch Trulli for even more unlikely poles.

As for the Brackley colour scheme, I’m more interested in what stickers are going to be on it rather than the colours themselves.

By: Michel S.

Michel S. — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:09:55 +0000

Nobody’s commenting on the slick tyres yet. Would we see the old-timers and the fresh-out-of-GP2 drivers doing better than the rest of the field? It might be the only way Honda and Force India can hope to score points too.

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:22:15 +0000

Or they just wanted a safe pair of hands, which Barrichello definitely is. I think Senna has potential (what an odd phrase to write!) but there’s always a risk attached with picking a rookie – even though the publicity and marketing benefits of choosing him would be enormous.

By: Paige

Paige — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:04:46 +0000

Well, it looks like Honda didn’t think Senna was ready to make the jump despite his reportedly excellent test times. There’s got to be something psychologically amiss, perhaps a lack of maturity on Senna’s part.

Good for Rubens. He’s a true class act.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:32:18 +0000

On one hand it’s nice to see Rubens continue on in F1 on the other hand, it’s pointless. He’s not going to be world champion, and except he’s driving for free or ridiculously low wage, it makes no sense to continue on with him.
As for Button, he has wasted opportunities and potentials. In my opinion he has lost his fighting spirit. He should just give F1 2 more years and retire. He is a classic case of high wage and low return on investment.

By: James Brickles

James Brickles — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:50:26 +0000

Definitely the right decision.

By: Filipe

Filipe — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:30:21 +0000

Rubens has no sponsorship money. I don’t think it matters for him to be in the last rows, he loves driving and really wants to get to the 300 starts, so he is ok with any seat he can get.

By: Filipe

Filipe — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:22:14 +0000

There’s no great GP2 seats left. iSport wait for Senna for a long time (actually Diego Nunes, the brazilian driver they end up signing, told the brazilian press they only closed the deal after Senna give them an ok). Lokking at GP2 entry list the title is likely be between Di Grassi, Grosjean and Hulkenberg and Senna probably thinks the only good seat left (Arden) ain’t enough to challange them.

By: Becken

Becken — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:02:49 +0000

Ross Brawn is a clever and cold Guy. He tough: What could be worthiest? A young and inexperienced driver with some sponsorship in the pocket, but who could crash at some races, or a guy who could develop a car and bring some money from the constructors championship?

James Allen has said that Bruno could bring around US$ 14 million, but with some points achieved in the championship the team can easily get this money.

So, Poor Bruno… I wish him a better luck next time!