Barrichello to race on

Rubens Barrichello

Rubens Barrichello says he plans to race on for 'at least a couple of years' before retiring from the sport.

The veteran Brazilian is set to break Riccardo Patrese's record of 256 grand prix starts during this season and become the most experienced driver in Formula 1 history.

Last season was the first in Barrichello's 15-year F1 career when he had failed to score a point, as the Honda driver struggled with the terrible RA107 chassis.

Barrichello acknowledged that his F1 days are drawing to a close, but he hopes he can continue to race beyond the end of his current Honda contract later this year.

"It's closer to the end than the beginning, definitely," he told Autosport magazine.

"I love my family so much that if it wasn't for the speed of driving and the fun that I have from driving, I would be staying at home already.

"I'm still in love with the car – I still have this burning feeling in my stomach before I drive a new car.

"So while I have that, I have no reason to stop. "This year is my final contract, but I'm not planning to stop just yet. "I think I have at least a couple of years in me." He added that he was still content with his performances, because he knew that he was still driving just as well as he had when winning races with Ferrari, even though Honda had plunged into the midfield.

"In F1 you're only as good as your last race but, as long as I'm fine with myself, I'm at peace with myself," Barrichello said. "I know the work I've been doing, so it's not a big deal." ITV-F1