Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

F1: Williams to keep Rubens Barrichello as driver market stalls for 2011

|
Get the best interest rate
Khatir Soltani
From GMM

As many top teams, Williams is reportedly set to retain an unchanged driver lineup for the 2011 season.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that while rookie Nico Hulkenberg is regarded as a long-term investment for the British team, Williams is also happy with the performance of the Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello.

"Without Rubens, we would be nowhere," team co-owner and principal Sir Frank Williams is quoted as saying.

The lineups at top teams Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull will also stay the same for 2011, while Robert Kubica looks likely to stay at Renault.

Rookie Vitaly Petrov has done enough in 2010 to also keep his seat, but Auto Motor und Sport says his sponsorship money must continue to flow. Autosprint reports that Renault might have its eye on Adrian Sutil, the long time Force India driver who often admits he would like to finally step into a top team, to replace Vitaly Petrov.

"I'm afraid that the top ten seats (for 2011) are gone already," said Mercedes reserve driver Nick Heidfeld.

Meanwhile, if Force India has a vacancy, it will almost certainly go to the promising reserve driver Paul di Resta, and Toro Rosso would select from Red Bull's young driver pool, such as the Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

Both of Sauber's race seats might be up for grabs for 2011, but if that is the case, the market's leading pay drivers - like the Mexican GP2 driver Sergio Perez - are regarded to be at the head of the queue.


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada