Formula 1 Barrichello to race for Williams in 2010

News flash: Williams F1 has announced Rubens Barrichello as their number 1 driver for next season, along with GP2 champion Nico Hulkenberg.

The full release:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin.../11/10187.html

Comments?

No big surprise, there were many hints to this happening, like Williams adapting their car for right foot braking, a Rubens specialty, and many other rumors.

Official note from the Williams F1 website:
http://www.williamsf1.com/news/view/1182

Not really much in that, just a quote from the team principal...

I have to ask: do we really need a thread for each and every driver move? I can understand big ones like Alonso and Ferrari getting a thread, and I made one on Senna going to Campos because he's a Senna, but we already have a thread for this sort of thing. I know it's called predictions for the driver market, but each and every driver move has been included there. There's not really a hell of a lot to discuss about Barrichello going to Williams, other than that we alreay knew it was happening and that Sir Frank, Rubinho and the Hulk will make for a strong, tight lineup.

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I have to ask: do we really need a thread for each and every driver move? I can understand big ones like Alonso and Ferrari getting a thread, and I made one on Senna going to Campos because he's a Senna, but we already have a thread for this sort of thing. I know it's called predictions for the driver market, but each and every driver move has been included there. There's not really a hell of a lot to discuss about Barrichello going to Williams, other than that we alreay knew it was happening and that Sir Frank, Rubinho and the Hulk will make for a strong, tight lineup.

+1

Oh, come on, it'll only be 26 new threads till the start of the season. No need to worry.
</SARCASM>

All I can say is "ugh". I mean, really. There are other, better, drivers who could help Sir Frank marshall Hulkenberg's prodigious talent. Why did they have to pick the perennial winner of the world whingeing championships?

Barrichello has now been beaten to six world championships by drivers driving the same car as him. When is he going to GET THE HINT?

GilesGuthrie

All I can say is "ugh". I mean, really. There are other, better, drivers who could help Sir Frank marshall Hulkenberg's prodigious talent. Why did they have to pick the perennial winner of the world whingeing championships?

Barrichello has now been beaten to six world championships by drivers driving the same car as him. When is he going to GET THE HINT?

But who that Williams would be able to attract?

GilesGuthrie

All I can say is "ugh". I mean, really. There are other, better, drivers who could help Sir Frank marshall Hulkenberg's prodigious talent. Why did they have to pick the perennial winner of the world whingeing championships?

Barrichello has now been beaten to six world championships by drivers driving the same car as him. When is he going to GET THE HINT?

Barrichello is an amazing driver, would you say that Jacky Ickx isn't a great driver just because he never won the F1 Drivers championship, what about drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya, Dan Gurney, Ronnie Peterson, and Carlos Reutemann. Rubens will be perfect to prepare Hulkenberg for a long and prosperous F1 career.

Montoya and Ickx proved themselves in other formulae. And whilst Montoya drove cars that could have won championships, Barrichello drove cars that did. Six times.

Peterson was killed before his prime, and I think Reutemann and Gurney were great as journeymen. But they were not "amazing". As Barrichello is not. At all times his opinion of his talent has been greater than the talent itself. And when it goes wrong for him, he always blames someone else. Who can forget his anti-Brawn ranting of earlier this year? Or his consistent "I'm going to beat Michael for sure" chatter at Ferrari. He never seems to elevate himself to another plane. Well, possibly aside from the two wet weather back-to-fronts at Hockenheim and Silverstone.

But you've got a driver who's achieved relatively little in a long career. But he's won some races, made some money and kept his health. It really is time for him to go.

But I'd be interested in someone substantiating the "amazing driver" claim.

GilesGuthrie

Montoya and Ickx proved themselves in other formulae. And whilst Montoya drove cars that could have won championships, Barrichello drove cars that did. Six times.

Peterson was killed before his prime, and I think Reutemann and Gurney were great as journeymen. But they were not "amazing". As Barrichello is not. At all times his opinion of his talent has been greater than the talent itself. And when it goes wrong for him, he always blames someone else. Who can forget his anti-Brawn ranting of earlier this year? Or his consistent "I'm going to beat Michael for sure" chatter at Ferrari. He never seems to elevate himself to another plane. Well, possibly aside from the two wet weather back-to-fronts at Hockenheim and Silverstone.

But you've got a driver who's achieved relatively little in a long career. But he's won some races, made some money and kept his health. It really is time for him to go.

But I'd be interested in someone substantiating the "amazing driver" claim.

I agree. He's good...but far from amazing. Not even in the top 5 drivers on the current grid IMO.

Great, now I'll probably have to deal with people trying to jump on my back for making that comment Something along the lines of: "you have a clear view of who's good and who's not, I on the other hand think everyone is good...you are simply biased toward your favorite drivers" haha..

Well, it would be naive to imagine Barrichello had the same car as Schumacher. The Austrian race should really give you a hint of who was the team's favourite. The times when Schumacher already had the title, allowing the team to concentrate on him, he would have some very solid performances.

His only real chance of winning the championship was this year. It's true he was beaten, but for half of the championship he was faster than Button, and if it wasn't for some mechanical problems (the spring at Hungary, the gearbox at Spa, Turkey, and Singapore) and poor strategy (Barcelona and Nurburgring) the race for the title would be much closer.

Overall he was and still is a very capable driver who happened to be at the wrong place and wrong time throughout his career. He's the ideal type of driver for Williams, especially to have a young talent with him. He's good helping develop the car, setting up for races, and he's the only driver on the grid who has experience racing with no refuelling.

Pescara for GT5

Barrichello is an amazing driver, would you say that Jacky Ickx isn't a great driver just because he never won the F1 Drivers championship, what about drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya, Dan Gurney, Ronnie Peterson, and Carlos Reutemann.

It's not the fact that Rubens never won the championship because he wasn't good enough. It's that he's never spoken out about being the clear second driver, even though he is good enough to be the first driver for any team besides Brawn or Red Bull (for next year). His veteran presence is good for Williams, and there is no doubt he will be the 1st driver next year while mentoring Hulkenberg. But barring a miracle, he won't win the championship.

mPWRD

It's not the fact that Rubens never won the championship because he wasn't good enough. It's that he's never spoken out about being the clear second driver, even though he is good enough to be the first driver for any team besides Brawn or Red Bull (for next year). His veteran presence is good for Williams, and there is no doubt he will be the 1st driver next year while mentoring Hulkenberg. But barring a miracle, he won't win the championship.

Why is he good enough to be the first driver on any team EXCEPT for RBR and Brawn? I'm a bit puzzled by that accusation.

timeattack07gt

Why is he good enough to be the first driver on any team EXCEPT for RBR and Brawn? I'm a bit puzzled by that accusation.

I think he means it in the sense that Brawn will likely have Jenson Button, and as World Champion he would be their lead driver. And Red Bull have invested a lot in Sebastian Vettel, so he'll be their lead driver.

If only Rubens was around Ferrari in 1999, I'm pretty sure he would have done a better job than Irvine.....

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I think he means it in the sense that Brawn will likely have Jenson Button, and as World Champion he would be their lead driver. And Red Bull have invested a lot in Sebastian Vettel, so he'll be their lead driver.

Ughh, and what about Ferrari? Who have already confirmed two extremely talented drivers for 2010, one being the only multiple WDC on the grid. It's utter nonsense to think Ruben's could possibly get priority over such a driver...which was my main problem with his argument to begin with.

And What about Mclaren? You think they would push Hamilton aside for Ruben's who's track record only looks of flops in good cars? Making his claim even more blasphemous.

And lasty, Vettel will only be RBR's lead driver because he's earned it, not because Red Bull's invested so much in him. RBR has always promoted equal treatment for their drivers...Vettel has simply proved that he can out perform Webber more often than not.

Edit: And it's also a bit early to say that Ruben's will automatically be number 1 at Williams next year. If Hulk takes it to Barichello early on, (which I wouldn't be surprised), I seriously doubt they are simply going to keep Ruben's on a pedestal if he's getting out performed race after race. Only time will tell in regards to that...but it's a rather blind statement to say such so early on.

If Hulk beats Barrichello, then he's a hell of a driver. Even in that case it would be beneficial for Williams to have him for development and setup. And it's always good for a new driver to learn from an experient driver. But I believe that at least initially Barrichello should beat him. At least consistency-wise.

Well, Sam Michael reckons Williams have going their own answer to Lewis Hamilton in the Hulk. Like Hamilton before him, this model of Nico won the GP2 series on debut.

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Well, Sam Michael reckons Williams have going their own answer to Lewis Hamilton in the Hulk. Like Hamilton before him, this model of Nico won the GP2 series on debut.

I would have to agree with him. And that's why the Hulk shouldn't be written off so early, in regards to him taking the backseat to Ruben's next season. Look what Hamilton did in his first season against Alonso, who most regard as being better than Ruben's (at least Ferrari do ). Vettel, the other young German talent has also shown how brilliant the youngsters can be right off the bat.

Edit: I Don't know why I even bother arguing or making a point anyway...most everyone just plays dodge ball around here But wait, why am I even wasting my breath saying this? Nobody will acknowledge this either lmao