Rubens Barrichello has said that he still harbours a "dream" of racing in a 20th season of Formula One, despite the Brazilian having lined up an Indycar test for later this week after losing his drive with Williams at the end of 2011.
The Brazilian is almost certain to not be on the 2012 Formula One grid, with only the second seat at backmarkers HRT still vacant.
Last week it emerged that Barrichello has lined up a two-day test for Indycar squad KV Racing at the Sebring circuit later this week, potentially with a view to switching Stateside for next season.
But despite the lack of an F1 seat for the coming season, Barrichello has suggested that he still harboured a hope of returning to the grid for a 20th F1 campaign in the future.
"The dream of competing in my twentieth season is still very much alive. You never know," he offered in an interview with the Brazilian O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper.
"Sometimes things change for all sorts of reasons and someone calls up your speed and experience. Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher came back, so there's no reason I could not as well."
He also pointed out that he had lost his Williams drive for budgetary reasons rather than any issues over his performance, with the team opting for the sponsor-heavy form of Bruno Senna instead.
"The reason I am not staying with Williams is not about the driving," Barrichello, who scored a whopping four points in 2011, insisted.
"Frank [Williams] called me personally and began by saying they had decided to sign another driver.
"It is known that Williams is having difficulties with their budget and they had to choose an option more in line with their needs. That's understandable."
He added: "Bruno called me and he was almost upset so I told him to stop it, we're friends. I wished him all the best. I said that my dispute was with Williams, not with him.
"Let's see how they [Senna and team mate Pastor Maldonado] go with the problem of being inexperienced and developing the car.
"But in his favour the engineers have told me they will have a better car than I had last year. If they have the money, Williams can develop."
Meanwhile, as far as his Indycar test was concerned, he said that he was approaching the run with an open mind, saying that he was keen to continue driving.
"I have no contract with anybody so there's nothing stopping me doing it," he shrugged regarding the test.
"I'm doing it with my mind wide open. If I can get the passion with that car that I have always had when I am driving, then why not? I love racing."
Barrichello had previously been quoted as saying that he would not consider an Indycar switch in the future, because of the danger of oval racing.
But he suggested that he could come to a deal for 2012 which would see him compete in a partial campaign on road and street courses alone.
"It's true and it's an important issue to be resolved," he said when asked if he was still concerned by oval safety.
"But before I think about it, first I have to know the car. There is always the possibility of running the season but not the ones on the ovals."
The KV Racing team have signed Barrichello's friend Tony Kanaan and Venezuelan driver EJ Viso for the 2012 season, but have a vacant third Chevrolet-powered car available should Barrichello be interested.
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