Is Rubens seat safe at Williams next year?

[John S]

Not necessarily, hints Frank during German hotel chat.            
I like Frank's use of the word 'Staightfoward' in his sentence about Maldonaldo, is Rubens rubbing someone up the wrong way?
Anyone got any thoughts on a possible successor?  
      
Rubens Barrichello's future at Williams remains clouded. The Brazilian veteran recently admitted he has not yet been offered an extended contract by the famous British team.
 
He then arrived at the Nurburgring announcing that talks about 2012 with Williams chiefs should be "straightforward", after bosses Sir Frank Williams and Adam Parr both indicated a deal is likely.

But long-time Blick correspondent Roger Benoit revealed that he asked team principal Williams inside the Nurburgring's Dorint hotel if the team will line up next year with Barrichello still alongside Pastor Maldonado.

"Not necessarily," Benoit quotes Williams as smiling.

The wheelchair-bound 69-year-old then suggested that it is not the well-backed Venezuelan rookie Maldonado whose seat is in doubt.

"Many people believed we only have him because of the money. But he (Maldonado) is also super-fast, straightforward and the team loves him.

"With a Renault engine, we can give him a better car in 2012," added Williams.

Paddocktalk.com, 25th July.

[cosworth151]

"With a Renault engine, we can give him a better car in 2012," added Williams.

I'm glad to see Sir Frank still has a sense of humor.

They'll keep Rubins unless they can dig up another pay driver. I don't see any better driver standing in line for a ride in a Williams-Renault.

[Wats-on]

Agree with that. Better keep him, wheather you like him or not, he's got loads of experience! Better let hem develop the car and let Maldonado learn another year. Then drop Rubiño in 2013 for some young and fast guy.

MHO.