Rubens to Indycar? Is it a fitting end to a grand career?

Posted by Mikel on January 26th, 2012 at 07:13pm

We can’t say that we didn’t see this news coming. In fact, I’m surprised that it took so long. With almost two decades of Formula One behind him and no ride for 2012, Rubens Barrichello appears to be setting his sites on racing Stateside this season. The eleven time GP winner will be testing one of KV Racing’s IndyCars at the Sebring roadcourse on Monday and Tuesday of next week. The possible move to KV, where Rubens reportedly had a seat fitting last week, would pair him with his old friend and fellow Brazilian Tony Kanaan.

IndyCar and it’s predecessor CART have long been a resting place of sorts for F1 pilots after their GP days have ended, with Rubens joining the likes of Emmerson Fittipaldi and Nigel Mansell amongst numerous others to make the switch. The current IndyCar field can lay claim to former Formula One pilots Justin Wilson and Sebastien Bourdais, with Takuma Sato still searching for a spot on this year’s grid.

Barrichello once stated that he would never move to IndyCars as his wife did not want him racing on ovals, though with all but four of this year’s sixteen rounds are on either road or street circuits, it is possible that Rubens may request to run everything but ovals… or maybe the missus has acquiesced?

With a rather unsuccessful 2011 season with Williams ending Barrichello’s Formula One career on a rather low note, should he just ride out his days on some beautiful beach somewhere or continue with his passion behind the wheel of whatever ride he can find?

“When I said that things were open [it] is because I still have lots of speed on me,” Barrichello has said in regards to the potential move. “Just like an old friend said: racing is in my blood.”

Under Racing