Barrichello admits contemplating retirement

Rubens Barrichello

(GMM) Rubens Barrichello on Friday refused to rule out the possibility he might hang up his record-setting formula one career at the end of 2009.

The veteran Brazilian, who lashed out at his current employers Brawn GP after the recent German grand prix, said that after nearly 280 races and 17 years he is beginning to wonder if he should retire.

"I love the sport, I've been doing this for 17 years," the 37-year-old said at the Hungaroring near Budapest.

"95 per cent of my feelings are to keep on. I love it, I have a lot of speed in myself, but five per cent tells me 'why do you need it?'

"It's something that's on my mind, even though it's only five per cent, but next year is too far away for me to decide anything," added Barrichello.

He clarified that he does not believe Brawn is favoring his teammate Jenson Button, who is 24 points ahead of him in the championship having won six races in 2009 compared with Barrichello's none.