Rubens Barrichello is so far refusing to comment after losing his Williams race seat this week to countryman Bruno Senna.<\/p>\n
The news looks set to end F1’s longest-ever driver career, with the only other vacant seat for 2012 – at HRT – expected to go to the highest bidder.<\/p>\n
O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper contacted 39-year-old Barrichello on Tuesday but found the veteran Brazilian unwilling to talk for now.<\/p>\n
“I will speak later, firstly with friendly journalists,” promised Barrichello, who since 1993 has contested 326 grands prix for six teams over 19 consecutive seasons.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, he told his 1.4 million Twitter followers that the future “is wide open”.<\/p>\n
Earlier, amid the uncertainty of his situation, he admitted he will take stock of his situation should he be left without a F1 seat for 2012.<\/p>\n
“I think at first I won’t look for anything.\u00a0 Perhaps I’ll just enjoy my family for a year.\u00a0 After that I believe my passion for speed will not allow me to stand still.<\/p>\n
“For sure I will not race on the American ovals — I have promised that to my wife,” said Barrichello, whose close friend is Tony Kanaan, the Indycar driver, “and I will honour that.”<\/p>\n
For the moment, an era appears over.<\/p>\n
“I’m not sure how many more seasons Rubens could have expected to carry on in formula one,” said 1996 world champion Damon Hill, “although I think he did a pretty good job.”<\/p>\n
A few years ago, when Honda folded and became Brawn, Senna was considered for Barrichello’s 2009 race seat.<\/p>\n
Now, the shoe is on the other foot.<\/p>\n
“I haven’t talked to him,” Senna told reporters on Tuesday.\u00a0 “We are good friends and that’s the way motor sport is.<\/p>\n
“There is nothing personal, and Rubens is a pro.\u00a0 He will understand,” said Senna.<\/p>\n
He is quoted by O Estado de S.Paulo: “Rubens knows even better than I do that sometimes it’s part of the sport that someone comes in and someone has to go.<\/p>\n
“We have a great relationship and I’m sure it will stay that way,” added Senna.<\/p>\n
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