Barrichello to IRL; Andretti to F1?
"Rubens' wife has said that if there was one thing she didn't want him doing, it was oval racing," CEO Nick Fry told Autosport.
So that seems to have been translated into a swap between two drivers.
"I know nothing about it whatsoever, and neither does Rubens, so we are somewhat amazed by where this has come from. I think we can knock that one on the head, even though we did give Marco a drive and we keep an eye on what he is doing. Rubens is definitely having an Indian summer, the first three races he has done a great job and now we are just looking for him to keep it up."
04/23/08 "News to me," came the response from Andretti Green Racing spokesman Al Larsen as told exclusively to Motorsport.com this morning. Thus reports that Honda Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello, set next month to become the series' longest-serving driver, will finish his career in the United States would seem to be at least premature.
A story attributed to German newspaper Bild and reportedly confirmed by Speedtv maintains that Barrichello will drive for Andretti Green Racing in 2009. The story suggests the Brazilian will swap places in Indy car racing with AGR driver Marco Andretti. The common link is Honda, whose engines power Indy cars. The third-generation Andretti racer has tested Honda's F1 car.
Larsen told Motorsport.com that the rumor "absolutely blindsided" him.
"I've not seen that," he said. "Nobody here's got a clue. The only thing official is he's not here. Nobody is confirming it."
 |
| Marco Andretti |
 |
| Will Rubens Barrichello (above) swap seats with Marco Andretti (top)? |
04/23/08 (GMM) Rubens Barrichello has received an offer to see out his long motor racing career in America, according to reports.
The German newspaper Bild claims the 35-year-old, who next month will set a new benchmark as the longest serving grand prix driver in history, has been asked to run with the Andretti-Green IndyCar team in 2009.
Barrichello's current contract with the F1 team Honda, owned by the Japanese marque that also equips Andretti-Green with engines, runs out at the end of 2008.
Bild raises the possibility of a seat 'swap'; Barrichello to IRL in exchange for Andretti-Green's Marco Andretti, the 21-year-old American son of former McLaren driver Michael Andretti, whose own father Mario won the world championship in 1978.
Reportedly, the American broadcaster Speed TV cited Barrichello as confirming the offer.
Marco Andretti has already collected about 900 kilometers of testing in a Honda F1 car.