Should Barrichello return to F1?

The 2011 season was one filled with disappointment for Rubens Barrichello. He scored the majority of the William’s team’s points but even then just 4 points were scored. This left Rubens in a vulnerable position. The team had already confirmed Pastor Maldonado would drive for the team in 2012 and a number of other drivers waited in the wings.

It was announced on the 17^th of January that Bruno Senna, a fellow Brazilian, would be racing for the Williams F1 Team in 2012. This left Rubens without a seat. The 39 year old is the most experienced racer on the grid, competing in 326 races and scoring 11 wins. He debuted at the 1993 South African Grand Prix for the Jordan team and impressed without seeing results. The 1993 Jordan was restricted by its poor reliability. He had to wait till the 2000 German GP at Hockenheim to win. He was renowned for his wet weather skill and took the win, the first of a fair few.

Now that Rubens is out of Formula 1, after 19 seasons, I debate whether he should make a return to F1 Racing or not? Click below to see the full story.

Barrichello you could say was cruelly swept aside by the Williams team in favour of the youthful Bruno Senna. It is no secret that Senna brings with him some good opportunities, money and pace which left Rubens out of F1. But should he return to F1 or go off elsewhere?

Barrichello joined Formula 1 in 1993, 19 seasons later he is out of the sport.

A whole year out of Formula 1 is never a good thing. He does not even have a role within an F1 team so he will find it harder, if he wants to return, to muscle his way in. Barrichello has illustrated his eagerness to return to the F1 Grid saying "Today F1 is a more open place. A massive opportunity could arise, the dream of competing in my 20th season in F1 is still very much alive, "You never know. Sometimes things change, with my speed and experience, I could be called upon. Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher have returned, there is no reason why I could not as well."

So it just shows how eager and happy a return to F1 would make Rubens. Would that be the right decision? There is already a huge backlog of fast, young hopefuls who are waiting and vying for a seat. With youth often comes pace and ability with the odd mistake thrown in. It is no secret that the drivers competing in the likes of GP2, GP3 and WSR3.5 have been developed into racing machines and know just as much about the technical stuff as they do about the driving. The amount of competition Rubens could be up against for an F1 seat in 2013 will be a big task to overcome. With youth also comes a gaggle of sponsorship opportunities. Barrichello was reported to of signed some new sponsors to urge Williams to re-sign him but it fell short.

Rubens is enthusiastic however. He loves F1 and is very passionate. Sometimes that cannot be beaten. However the lovable Brazilian could hang up his race helmet and overalls. At the age of 39 he is one of F1’s elder competitors and many racers who have passed that age have left F1 for a more relaxed lifestyle. Barrichello has 2 young sons and a wife. Retiring from F1 would surely create more time to spend with his family and to look at other ways of keeping himself busy like managing, having his own motor sport team or something in the F1 or Motor sport world.

Rubens is also scheduled for an IndyCar test. This takes place on the 30^th and 31^st January. He will be testing with the KV Racing Team who also runs a close friend Tony Kanan. IndyCar, I think, would be a good thing for him to get into and experience, even if it is just a one off. The ex-Ferrari racer will be closer to his home and family in native Brazil and he will get to experience a different type of racing. It will take time to get to grips with the new Dallara car but due to a whole new car design, the DW12, everyone is on a level playing field, making 2012 the best time to join. The oval tracks will also take some getting used to but IndyCar is a great way to get back into Motorsport at an older age.

Rubens having a seat fitting in an IndyCar

Anyway I have just been debating a few of the options Rubens could have. He could keep trying for a 2013 F1 seat, retiring and leading a more relaxed lifestyle or keeping his racing adrenaline pumping with a move to another series like IndyCar. Comment below what you think his best options are.