Barrichello could be Caterham driver in Abu Dhabi (Update)
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| Rubens Barrichello |
This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Rubens Barrichello has denied he is about to make a sensational return to F1 to complete the 2014 season with Caterham.
With Caterham back up and running after missing Austin and Brazil, the team is still yet to announce an Abu Dhabi teammate for Kamui Kobayashi.
Reports have said Brazilian Barrichello, the most experienced driver in F1 history, was in the running to add a record 327th grand prix weekend to his tally after putting together enough sponsorship.
But the 42-year-old, who was recently stepped down as a F1 commentator for Brazil's Globo, told the broadcaster: "When I left formula one, I walked out the front door.
"It was sensational and I had full pride in my 19 years. But then I had this idea to do a farewell in Brazil again. But the deal was only for Brazil."
Ultimately, Caterham entered administration after the Russian grand prix last month and then sat out the Austin-Interlagos double-header.
"It would have been amazing," Barrichello admitted. "Like I said, I ended my formula one career brilliantly, but I would have loved to say goodbye again in Brazil.
"Now to do a race somewhere else, I think it would have to be in a competitive car."
Asked if he would accept an invitation from Caterham to return, he answered: "Actually, it is not 'accept' or 'not accept'. The situation was very simple and everything was for Brazil. We did not talk about Abu Dhabi."
11/19/14 (GMM) As Caterham prepares in Abu Dhabi for its F1 return this weekend, a round of intriguing speculation is taking place.
With Kamui Kobayashi already confirmed to drive, potential teammates for the Japanese are queuing up.
The latest, according to the major German daily Bild, is retired F1 veteran Rubens Barrichello, who apparently recently found enough sponsorship to contest the Austin, Interlagos and Abu Dhabi races as his "great farewell performance".
Behind the driver rumors, however, there is a bubbling unease about Caterham's high-profile return.
Many believe the crowdfunding scheme brought F1's lofty image into disrepute. For example, while other teams boast multinationals that pay millions in exchange for a logo, one on-car sponsor of the revived Caterham team in Abu Dhabi will be a small UK pub called the Windmill Inn.
Not only that, the team – whilst racing in Abu Dhabi – is actually being run by an insolvency administrator, who has laid off the entire 230-strong workforce.
"There seems to be no discussion about it," former senior aerodynamicist Jim McManus is quoted by the Witney Gazette.
"It seems we have been really railroaded through. I don't think the employees are being consulted at all."
There are also concerns not only with a lack of spare car parts for the Abu Dhabi race weekend, but also Caterham's ability to build a car for the 2015 season.