Barrichello: Williams F1 renewal 'a natural process'

He might be almost 40 years of age, he might be about to mark his 300th grand prix start in the Belgium at the end of the month and he might be the longest-serving driver in F1 history, but Rubens Barrichello clearly has no intention of hanging up his helmet just yet, as he confessed that to renew his contract with the Williams into 2011 is simply 'a natural process'.

Having made his debut at the highest level with the Jordan Grand Prix all the way back in 1993 – and since then triumphed eleven times, ascended the rostrum on no fewer than 68 occasions and driven for some of F1's most legendary names – the veteran Brazilian now looks set to prolong his record-breaking career into an incredible 19th consecutive campaign next year.

Last month, the Grove-based operation's eponymous founder Sir Frank Williams strongly hinted at an extended relationship with Barrichello into the 2011 [see separate story – click here].

With both sides having mutually benefitted from the collaboration and the Paulista's recent brace of strong points-scoring finishes – a superb fourth in Valencia and an excellent fifth at Silverstone, lifting him to the fringes of the top ten in the drivers' standings – pointing to the sustained progress at the former multiple world championship-winning outfit, it looks like the evergreen, ever-enthusiastic 'Rubinho' will be a fixture on the grand prix grid once more this time next year.

“We have been working together on the 2011 car,” the 38-year-old told Brazilian media, “so I think the [contract] renewal is a natural process. The team has used me in the best possible way. With Williams we have 100 per cent confidence in talking about the car now. From the moment we chose this way, especially in the wind tunnel, everything has improved.

“It is hard to say when Williams will win again, but the trend this year has been very noticeable. The greatest pride is that my information has not only served me, but my team-mate (rookie Nico Hülkenberg) as well. We are on the right track.”

In celebration of the unprecedented landmark he is set to reach at Spa-Francorchamps, Barrichello has commissioned a special commemorative T-shirt – more details of which can be found on his Twitter account – and if anyone is still in any doubt about his continued motivation and the hunger, Williams technical director Sam Michael suggests that his utter determination to overtake former team-mate Michael Schumacher in Hungary earlier this month 'just proved to everyone how completely committed Rubens is'.

Barrichello says updates need work

Rubens Barrichello says his Williams team's updates need more work of in order for the British squad to move up the field.

But the Brazilian was still pleased with his performance after securing with eighth position ahead of the tomorrow's British Grand Prix, where he is now aiming for a top-six finish.

"Top eight in qualifying is a good effort by the team," said Barrichello after qualifying. "We still have to improve but today's result is now satisfying and probably the best we could hope for. I hope we can get into the top of the six tomorrow.

"The cars are all very close, and there aren't too many overtaking with opportunities around the lap, so it's going to be a good battle.

"The upgrades are all working well, but they need more development if we are to move higher up in the field."

Team-mate Nico Hulkenberg was disappointed with his day after finishing down in the 13th position, the German blaming Force India's Tonio Liuzzi for slowing him down.