In a slightly out-of-the-blue move, reports today say that title contender Rubens Barrichello is in talks over a race seat for 2010 with the Williams team, as the elderly Frasier-a-like looks to swap places on the grid with current Williams man Nico Rosberg.
Barrichello is under increasing pressure from Rosberg for his Brawn GP drive, despite the Brazilian sitting second in the championship and still very much in with a chance of the 2009 title. But with Jenson Button almost certain to keep his place with the team, money moans aside, Barrichello is looking to keep his F1 career going with the Grove-based team.
With Mercedes set to buy in to the Brawn team in time for 2010, the manufacturer is keen to see a German driver in one of their cars, hence the interest in Rosberg, while Williams, who are looking to bring GP2 Series champion Nico Hulkenburg into their other car in place of Kazuki Nakajima, will be looking for a driver with experience to partner the German rookie.
Barrichello is thought to have visited the Williams factory recently to discuss his plans for next season, and a preliminary deal for 2010 may already have been signed.
The only realistic chance Barrichello has of staying with the Brawn team for another year look to be if Button leaves the team over a rather undignified contractual disagreement he is currently trying to clear up. Button took a pay cut to help the Brawn team in it's first season, but is believed to now want a wad more cash given his title-leading credentials from this year.
So Barrichello is likely to have to decide between gambling on waiting for the situation between Brawn and Button to become more clear, or take the chance of a drive with Williams immediately.
At the Singapore GP weekend, Williams technical director Sam Michael reaffirmed the team's desire to see an experienced driver in alongside a young talent for 2010.
"If you have someone who is very experienced that is great because they have experience on set-up and car direction," Michael smirked, aware that they don't come much more experienced than the doddering form of Barrichello, "And if you have someone who is young, then they bring enthusiasm.
"We've had many different drivers in Williams over the years in both camps - experienced guys and rookies, and they have all had their plus and minuses. But the most important thing is that they are fast, this is first and foremost for us."
Williams are also thought to have had discussions with BMW refugees Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica over a drive for 2010, but Kubica is set for a Renault seat and Heidfeld clearly didn't impress anyone with his facial hair.
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