F1 comeback bid ended Barrichello commentary (Update)
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| Rubens Barrichello |
Rubens Barrichello was poised to return to Formula 1 with Caterham for the final three races of the season, it has been claimed.
According to reports by Fox Sports, the former Ferrari, Honda and Williams driver would have replaced Kamui Kobayashi.
The deal, however, fell through when Caterham went into administration last month after a series of disputes between Engavest SA, the consortium that purchased the team in July, and former owner Tony Fernandes.
"We would have run Barrichello in the last three races," a team source allegedly told Fox Sports. "We had sponsorship and everything was going the right way. It would have been fantastic for Formula 1."
Barrichello, previously linked with a return in October last year with Sauber, added: "It would have been great to race in front of my people once again [at Interlagos] and say goodbye properly."
Barrichello last competed in Formula 1 in 2011 with Williams, but was replaced by compatriot Bruno Senna in 2012.
Barrichello, who now competes in Stock Cars in Brazil, made his Formula 1 debut in 1993, winning 11 Grands Prix and notching up 68 podiums in a career spanning more than 300 races. He finished runner-up in the Drivers' Championship in 2002 and 2004 and was third in 2001 and 2009.
10/24/14 (GMM) Rubens Barrichello's desire to return to the F1 grid appears to have ended his days as a roving commentator.
We reported on Thursday that the most experienced driver in the history of the sport had "concluded" his commentary contract with Brazil's TV Globo.
Brazil's UOL Esporte is now claiming Barrichello, 42, fell out with the broadcaster due to "relationship and contract" problems, and also because he allegedly used his role to "offer his services to F1 teams".
The report said the former Williams and Ferrari driver had trouble following some instructions, like calling Red Bull 'RBR' instead of the name of the energy drink, for commercial reasons.
But the real trouble may have begun in Singapore last month, when Barrichello reportedly told Mercedes' Toto Wolff he was "ready and fit" to become the dominant team's reserve driver.
Barrichello reportedly also lobbied last year to make his return to F1 with Sauber.
"According to insiders," UOL claimed, "Barrichello never accepted that he is a former formula one driver. Coincidence or not, that (Singapore) was his last outing as a broadcaster."
The final straw may have been when Barrichello appeared as an online presenter, breaching the conditions of his exclusive contract with Globo.
"UOL Esporte contacted Rubens Barrichello but received no response," said the report. Barrichello's co-pundit and friend Luciano Burti also declined to comment.
Globo denied that its relationship with Barrichello had broken down, insisting the contract was concluded "amicably".