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May 23rd
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Boobens, Sutil still staying hopeful

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Under-pressure drivers Rubens Barrichello and Adrian Sutil are still remaining optimistic on their chances of remaining in F1 for the 2012 season, despite growing speculation that both will lose their current seats for next year.

The two drivers are the most under-pressure in the somewhat stagnant 2012 silly season driver market.

Barrichello appeared to be safe at Williams for another season earlier this year, but recent reports have linked 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen with a shock return to the team.

Recently, Williams co-owner Toto Wolff also revealed that Ferrari reserve driver Jules Bianchi and the Grove team's own tester Valtteri Bottas were also in the frame for the seat.

Meanwhile, Sutil's F1 future is also under intense speculation, amidst reports that Force India will opt for current reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg alongside Paul di Resta for 2012.

But both drivers have remained optimistic about their futures on the eve of the penultimate race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

"If I really believed the rumours back in 2008, Bruno Senna would have signed with Brawn," Barrichello pointed out to reporters on Thursday, referencing the last time he seemed to be heading for the exit door.

"So I just have to wait and believe and when I have conversations with the team they seem to be saying the right thing for me and I just have to wait."

He also downplayed the Raikkonen reports, suggesting: "I believe he'd had very little talks with the team."

And Barrichello added that he was not currently planning to treat the last race of the season in Brazil as if it was his final F1 event, even if he still has no confirmation over his 2012 drive.

"I may go to the Brazilian Grand Prix without any confirmation, without anything, but I'm not saying goodbye to my fans," he insisted, "I want to be there next year and I'm taking the risk."

Meanwhile Sutil, who has also been linked with Barrichello's seat should he be dropped by Findia, also said that he was not worried about his F1 future.

"I don't think after so many years doing a good job in this team I have to shiver and think about my future, or something," he shivered.

"I am relaxed. I like this team. But, if it doesn't work out then I find something else."

And as far as the long wait he and the other drivers in the frame were being forced to endure, he simply reasoned that it was down to the recent buy-in to the team by the Sahara Group.

"Probably with a new owner here in this team it is just taking a bit longer, I don't know why," he shrugged, supressing a shiver.

"I just don't feel in a position where I should be nervous. If I was doing a bad job, then I would probably be nervous but I do the best job I can.

"I am scoring the points and I feel good, so that is why I cannot change the situation."

Aside from Barrichello's seat, the only other options for Sutil away from Force India would be at Renault and backmarkers HRT and Virgin.