Barrichello to test with Penske

Peat · 14 Oct 2008, 16:02 (Ref:2312302)

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headline...14102426.shtml

mattcat · 14 Oct 2008, 17:03 (Ref:2312337)

Interesting news. I think that Barrichello will find, however, that the cars are harder to drive and that oval circuits are very different, indeed.

It would be nice to see him in the series, though.

Are we seeing someone being tested as a possible replacement for Helio, should his legal problems prevent him from racing?

Very interesting.

Peter Ford · 15 Oct 2008, 01:25 (Ref:2312665)

It would be nice to have him in the series,but i dont know if he will be able to handle racing on the ovals.

runshaw · 15 Oct 2008, 01:31 (Ref:2312669)

That's interesting, as earlier this year he said he would never race in IndyCar, one of the reasons being his wife has told him not too because of the danger! If he did race in the series of course a driver of this calibre would be able to handle the ovals, after a bit of learning. If Danica Patrick can win on an oval despite not running in the top 10 even in UK Formula Ford, i'm sure Rubens would be able too with 9 GP wins under his belt.

foreversideways · 15 Oct 2008, 16:08 (Ref:2313129)

I am not a Danica fan but i think you may find she came second in the Formula Ford Festival on one occasion. Personally i think RB should hang the helmet up, he has had the best of it with Ferrari and proved a poor second to MS. To be eclipsed over there would be an embarrassment. He is no Nigel Mansell or Emerson Fittipaldi.

Hazard · 15 Oct 2008, 16:49 (Ref:2313163)

I recall Barrichello testing or at least looking likely for a Champcar switch back in 1997.

At that point, it was known his Jordan drive was gone - the Stewart F1 drive was a bit of a surprise.

the sniper · 15 Oct 2008, 16:59 (Ref:2313169)

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreversideways

I am not a Danica fan but i think you may find she came second in the Formula Ford Festival on one occasion. Personally i think RB should hang the helmet up, he has had the best of it with Ferrari and proved a poor second to MS. To be eclipsed over there would be an embarrassment. He is no Nigel Mansell or Emerson Fittipaldi.

Well he hasn't done to badly against Button...

As runshaw said, earlier this season Barrichello said he wouldn't race ovals because they are too dangerous, and his wife would not let him. I guess this is just a random test to experience an IndyCar.

foreversideways · 15 Oct 2008, 18:28 (Ref:2313249)

Not sure what that says about Button ?

Alwaysfirst · 15 Oct 2008, 21:15 (Ref:2313389)

Well on his day at some circuits he was often faster than Schumacher...even if he wasn't supposed to be. I don't see many of the IndyCar drivers being faster than Schumacher on many tracks. Therefore I think that Barrichello would only increase the amount of talent in the series.

runshaw · 15 Oct 2008, 22:45 (Ref:2313457)

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreversideways

I am not a Danica fan but i think you may find she came second in the Formula Ford Festival on one occasion. Personally i think RB should hang the helmet up, he has had the best of it with Ferrari and proved a poor second to MS. To be eclipsed over there would be an embarrassment. He is no Nigel Mansell or Emerson Fittipaldi.

Why should RB hang up his helmet? Most ex-F1 drivers continue racing after their GP career, and Rubens, being one of the most successful current modern-day drivers, why should he? He wasn't a poor second to MS, he was just second. Why would he would be eclipsed in the IRL? You talk almost as if he is second rate. No one said he was Nigel Mansell or Emerson Fittipaldi either. I'd honestly say he was Rubens Barrichello!

N.B. I knew that about Danica, it was one helluva lucky drive!

wannab-aracer · 15 Oct 2008, 23:02 (Ref:2313465)

Quote:

Originally Posted by runshaw

Why should RB hang up his helmet? Most ex-F1 drivers continue racing after their GP career, and Rubens, being one of the most successful current modern-day drivers, why should he? He wasn't a poor second to MS, he was just second. Why would he would be eclipsed in the IRL? You talk almost as if he is second rate. No one said he was Nigel Mansell or Emerson Fittipaldi either. I'd honestly say he was Rubens Barrichello!

Totally agree runshaw. reading some of the comments posted here would suggest RB is scared of danger?

Is this the same man who put danger before 250 Grand Prix starts?

I think if RB was to give Indycar a go, it is only testiment to the racing spirit within RB after all he has acheived at the highest level of motorsport.

Teretonga · 16 Oct 2008, 03:59 (Ref:2313558)

I think Honda is arranging a test drive for him should he consider going to the IRL after F1.
It probably isn't a test for a seat at Penske.
Reubens has a decision to make but personally i think that driving for Accura in LMS/ALMS would be a more pleasant way to enjoy his semi-retirement.

He still is very quick in comparison with most drivers, especially in the wet... remember this years British GP at Silverstone. he put a poor performaing car in the dry into a very competitive position on an atrocious day.

baclightning · 16 Oct 2008, 05:12 (Ref:2313578)

This column says that the report is not true:

http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert/

Quote:

I didn't believe this story [Barrichello testing with Penske] had legs, and team president Tim Cindric confirmed to me today that it doesn't. Neither of us has any idea where that rumor came from, but he's not testing with the team. I'm sure there are going to be many more rumors like this as Helio goes through the legal process, but let's all try to have some restraint. Roger Penske said it would be some time before he had a plan, and he admitted he wouldn't share it publicly until he had to anyway. Good for him. It's worth noting that the team is in a difficult spot here. It has to support Helio while proceeding in its own best interest. That is a delicate walk at best.

JohnSSC · 16 Oct 2008, 09:45 (Ref:2313712)

Personally, I think Honda is trying to help cushion the fall for RB's ego as they show him the door at Honda F1 by talking of a move to the IRL.

Whether a test materializes with Penske or whoever down the road remains to be seen, but at this stage, I do not believe that RB has the CV that IRL needs for any of us to get excited about his coming here. Emmo and Nige were WDCs. Nige was coming off a WDC season. While RB is certainly a talented driver and still shows flashes he is not and never has been of that caliber.

Instead of being a launching point for careers heading toward F1, American open wheel is now becoming the retirement home for faded F1 careers - and we are supposed to excited by that? How do you advertise that? "The best racers in this part of the world along with some guys who used to be the best!!"? And John Andretti, too!

God help me.

foreversideways · 16 Oct 2008, 11:33 (Ref:2313780)

Better to bring on young, new exciting talent for the future, than to revert to drivers who should be considering retirement.

BootsOntheSide · 16 Oct 2008, 22:56 (Ref:2314278)

If Helio is lost to the championship, another big name is needed for both Penske and the series. Rubens would be a ready-made star, although he'd have to prove himself in an IndyCar (and presumably get a divorce) before it could happen.

Alwaysfirst · 16 Oct 2008, 23:23 (Ref:2314288)

Quote:

Originally Posted by foreversideways

Better to bring on young, new exciting talent for the future, than to revert to drivers who should be considering retirement.

If Barrichello has the beating of the young, new exciting talent (it is a big if i'll grant you) then I'd rather see him in the series over those younger drivers.

But if it's younger drivers that you want then I'd sooner get rid of Milka Duno and a couple of others before I stopped a proven grand prix winner, a driver that sometimes had the beating of Michael Schumacher, from getting a seat. Get rid of 2 or 3 average drivers...put 2 exciting rookies & 1 veteran in the seats instead. I love seeing new talent coming through the ranks but i'd much rather it was at the expense of some of the drivers in the IRL that aren't up & coming or promising...and never have been, than at the expense of a hugely talented & respected driver who is known globally & who could bring a lot to the series. Just my opinion though...

And if Calvin is reporting that Penske is denying that the test will take place then we can be sure it will happen at some point.

We should all have realised by now to believe the opposite of what we are told most of the time by the powers that be in the racing world...

Teretonga · 19 Oct 2008, 06:21 (Ref:2315621)

Barrichello has shot down the idea of him testing a Penske car....its fiction.

He has said he has no interest in driving on ovals....

courageous · 19 Oct 2008, 18:23 (Ref:2316073)

The only chance of anything coming out of this (false) rumour is an ALMS drive for Penske or Acura joined up with being an Indycar road course ringer.

cmk · 21 Oct 2008, 01:42 (Ref:2317183)

Save for the fact that there look to be no Penske seats in the ALMS in '09 and the number of unfilled Acura seats is likely hovering around 0 unless a 2nd P2 team emerges...which leaves him with just about nothing.

mac · 26 Oct 2008, 22:13 (Ref:2321361)

Bring in Franck Montagny!

Rubens won't go to IRL - I heard him say earlier this year that his would not let him drive on ovals.

And that, my friends, is that.

Bluewolf · 10 Nov 2008, 03:05 (Ref:2331337)

I would love to see Rubens in an indy car!

maroon92 · 21 Nov 2008, 06:36 (Ref:2338675)

there are an awful lot of "ifs" in the following sentence.

I heard that IF Sebastien Bourdais doesn't return to STR next year, and IF Helio's court dates prevent him from driving, that Seb could be a possible replacement.

DanicaFan · 21 Nov 2008, 09:32 (Ref:2338727)

Hornish will be in that #3 car before Bourdais or anybody else if for some reason Helio cant be.

spider · 21 Nov 2008, 09:58 (Ref:2338737)

I have no doubts that Seb would get a ride if STR decide they can't afford to take him...which would be a shame, as the new F1 rules would probably suit his driving style...

It would be impressive to see Rubens in IRL, but it won't happen.

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