Rubens Barrichello has revealed a small part of him is thinking of quitting Formula One at the end of the season. The Brazilian says he is still in love with the sport, but after 17 years and 276 starts, a tiny seed of doubt is in his mind.
Barrichello is still in the hunt for this season’s championship, 24 points adrift of Brawn GP team-mate Jenson Button, but there have been issues.
The 37-year-old has twice this season vented his frustration at the end of races, initially following the Spanish Grand Prix when he felt Button was being favoured by the team.
Then 12 days ago after the race in Germany, Barrichello vented his fury in finishing sixth despite leading early on, claiming the team had cost him victory.
The waters have since been smoothed, but for the first time he has dropped a hint that he could call it a day.
“I love the sport, I’ve been doing this for 17 years,” remarked Barrichello “Ninety-five 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.”
Barrichello is convinced there is no favouritism within Brawn, and that he still sees himself as a title contender.
“I have to,” commented Barrichello. “I’m here for the love of the sport more than anything else.
“You ask me why I haven’t won yet? It’s not like I don’t care. I’m a better driver with all the problems.
“So I have to go for the next one (Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix) I cannot put pressure on myself, but things could be brighter, so I’ll keep on smiling and pushing.
“This weekend can be quite good, so I’m definitely not putting any of the problems of the last race into this one.”