Barrichello's Honda future in doubt

Honda chief Nick Fry is refusing to offer veteran Rubens Barrichello a

guarantee he will be around next year, never mind in a position to chalk up 300

grands prix.

Barrichello revealed his ambition on the weekend when he became the most

experienced driver in Formula One history by competing in his 257th race.

Although overhauling Riccardo Patrese's 15-year mark, and with a tear in his

eye when the occasion was marked on Saturday evening with a champagne reception,

there was little else to commend his Turkish Grand Prix performance.

After qualifying 12th at the Istanbul Park circuit, the Brazilian could only

finish 14th to extend his miserable run without scoring a point to 22 races.

Although his current contract is up at the end of the year, the 35-year-old is

determined to continue, with the aim of hitting the 300 mark.

That would mean Barrichello racing uninterrupted from now through to the second

half of the 2010 season.

But as for a new deal, although Fry concedes "casual conversations" have

taken place, nothing serious will unfold until later this year, and then only if

Barrichello is proving his worth

"Rubens is very aware of the situation, and I don't think he would want it any

other way," said Fry.

"When I hired Rubens I made a mistake because I complimented him on his

experience, and he said 'I don't want to be experienced, I want to be fast'.

"If he is fast then he will be here next season, and if he's not, then he

won't be.

"At the moment, what I can say is, his pace is very similar to (team-mate)

Jenson (Button).

"Right now, though, we've not had any serious conversations, and it's not a

priority.

"As we get towards the end of the summer and into the autumn, then we will

start talking in earnest.

"When it comes down to it, it won't be the subject of prolonged negotiation.

Either we will both want to do it, or we won't.

"Once we decide one way or the other, it's then about a three-day process."

Fry at least concedes Barrichello's drive and passion are as strong as ever.

"At the moment, I see no sign of him wanting to retire whatsoever," added

Fry.

"He wants to carry on as long as he is enjoying it, and as long as he is quick

enough, and at the moment he is.

"The thing that is fascinating about Rubens is that he is so enthusiastic and

he does enjoy it.

"After his many years of grand prix racing, to retain your enthusiasm and

still be that quick is extremely impressive.

"On top of that he is such a nice guy to work with. That's not to say he is

not demanding because sometimes he can be extremely demanding.

"He makes it very clear what he likes and doesn't like. You know where you are

with him.

"He is a real person, not someone who tries to be superficial or skim over

things.

"You get it from the heart, and that's very refreshing in this day and age."