Is Rubens on his bike?

[Andy B]

Williams are reported to be considering a "pay" driver for next year which considering the ammount that Maldanardo is reported to bring who can blame them.
So has Rubens had his day and if not where would he go it certainly will not be a top seat so it has to be down the tail end of the grid, is Heikki going to put himself out of a drive to Rubens? 

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94156

[Alianora La Canta]

Williams might need the money, but it has little chance of a long-term fightback with 2 pay drivers unless it finds the next Michael Schumacher.

[Monty]

It doesn't appear that Rubens has been earning his money. Experience doesn't count for anything unless it brings results.
The sad thing is that most of the pay drivers are not the best drivers. Therefore, Williams may end up with a better balance sheet but will still not be scoring points.
Regarding Lotus / Heikki - it is true that Heikki could price himself out of a drive but I think he is probably a lot more useful to a team like Lotus than Rubens would be.

[Andy B]

Williams might need the money, but it has little chance of a long-term fightback with 2 pay drivers unless it finds the next Michael Schumacher.

But if they did find the next Schumi he would not stay there.

So this is the end of the road for Rubens then or will he go the DTM route like some of the others?

[Scott]

I wonder who's strategy it is to take two pay drivers anyhow.  I would guess that no major sponsor would jump on board a team with two pay drivers.  I think it will be a downhill slide if they go this route.  It's one thing if a jr series champion happens to bring sponsorship (but better to put it on the car than the driver anyhow) along as a bonus, but if they simply choose drivers based on ability to pay, you're right, there won't likely be a new schumacher there...

I suspect Parr is behind this idea.

That said, Rubens is way over due date, and has a mouth bigger than the grand canyon.  I'd be telling him to not let the door hit his ass on the way out the door.  Ciao Ruby.    

[markfarrell9572]

How tragic that a great great team like Williams needs two pay drivers.

[cosworth151]

I think Barichello probably is ready for the Seniors Tour. Still, I'd love to see him put it on Schumi at least once before he goes. 

[cosworth151]

Rubino thinks Williams should keep him around.

http://www.racer.com/barrichello-williams-should-keep-me/article/210992/?DCMP=EMC-RACER_DAILY

[Dare]

I'm not one of the Rube'sbiggest fans.Asmuch as I liked
to have a Senna back in F1 his age is going to work against him.
Most drivers his age already have several years experience.

It is a shame to see William'sneed a pay driver but Frank knows his
finances better than we do.