Barrichello close to announcing plans

Rubens Barrichello insists his mind is “pretty well fixed” as to where his future lies beyond this weekend.

Barrichello may talk of the possibility of remaining at Brawn GP, but it appears more than likely he will be heading to Williams.

It has long been rumoured Barrichello and Nico Rosberg would swap teams for next season, and the latter applied the first piece of the jigsaw yesterday by stating he will be leaving Williams after Sunday’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The team themselves have made clear today they will announce their 2010 driver line-up next week, when it is expected Barrichello and current reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg will be confirmed.

Even if team-mate Jenson Button fails to agree a new contract with Brawn, Barrichello is inevitably on his way.

“I’m waiting for the season to end and then I’ll come out and tell you everything I have to say,” said Barrichello.

“Right now I’m not waiting for Jenson to do this and some others to do that.

“My mind is pretty well fixed, but it’s not the right time to talk about that right now.

“It (an announcement) is getting pretty close, maybe as far as a week, but nothing yet to announce or report.

“It’s been a very good season where we’ve concentrated on the year as best as we could.

“But it’s better to wait a little longer to announce where I’m going to be in the future.”

Asked about reports he had already signed a one-year deal with Williams, Barrichello added: “They have always been a team that anyone would look at.

“That is no different right now. Anyone would look at a position at Williams because it’s one of the best teams out there, and they are on their way up.”

Barrichello insists in assessing his future, his main priority is the fact he wants to keep on winning after savouring two victories this year with Brawn.

Williams, however, have not won a race since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix.

But Barrichello added: “I want to win.

“I have a lot of passion for speed, for overtaking, for the things that pump me up, the challenge of winning.

“The three years with Honda were difficult, but still you motivate yourself and you go for it.

“I’m very hopeful of having a very competitive car next year, so that is I want for myself.

“I want to go on and have a chance to keep on winning.”

After missing out on keeping his world title hopes alive in Brazil 12 days ago, finishing eighth in front of his home crowd despite starting from pole, Barrichello’s family revived his spirits.

“I stayed home, which was great, and it was really good to stay there,” said an upbeat Barrichello.

“After you guys (addressing the media) left Brazil, it got hot again, so it was a really good week.”