Rubens Barrichello will be back at Williams in 2011, according to team principals. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

2011 Deal For Barrichello 'A Formality': The extension of Rubens Barrichello's contract is just a formality, officials for the British team Williams have revealed. The 38-year-old Brazilian will notch up a monumental 300th Grand Prix later in 2010, but the longevity of his record-setting career looks set to extend to a 19th season next year. Barrichello, who revealed at Silverstone that he does not yet have a deal for next season, said he is not in talks with rival teams because leaving Williams "would be exactly the wrong thing." Sir Frank Williams told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "Assume that Rubens is staying with us." And technical director Sam Michael added: "The extension should be as much a formality for Rubens as is his daily breakfast. He has demonstrated the importance in this business of experience." It is almost certain that rookie Nico Hulkenberg is also staying at Williams, even though the reigning GP2 champion has struggled to match Barrichello's performances. However, Barrichello has only praise for his rookie teammate. "Ninety percent of the time we feel the same thing about the car," Barrichello said. "And the other 10 percent I can learn something from Nico."

Hamilton Not Yet McLaren's De Facto No. 1 - Whitmarsh: McLaren is not ready to concede that Lewis Hamilton is its best bet for the 2010 drivers' World Championship. At the head of the title standings, Hamilton is 12 points up on teammate Jenson Button, but the Red Bull runners are close behind with a faster car. But when asked on Tuesday if Hamilton is now recognized as McLaren's title favorite, team boss Martin Whitmarsh answered: "Not yet. I'm sure Jenson hasn't given way to Lewis and he will want to win this weekend and move that momentum back in his favor," said the Briton in a teleconference with reporters. Despite also fighting for F1's biggest prize within the same team, Hamilton insists he and Button are not likely to clash personally as have Red Bull's Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. "No, there's respect," he told Reuters, albeit acknowledging that he rarely spends off-track time with 30-year-old Button. "He gave me a lift home at Silverstone last week and I would do the same for him."

Unnamed Engineer 'Surprised' by Webber Outbursts: An unnamed "senior engineer" has prolonged Red Bull's Silverstone front wing saga. The team official said he was "very surprised" when Mark Webber made a commotion about teammate Sebastian Vettel receiving his new-specification front wing prior to qualifying for the recent British GP. "Throughout the period when he used the new wing, he complained that it did not work any better than the old one," the engineer is quoted by Finland's Turun Sanomat. "Mark simply did not get a good feeling with it, but when there was only one left, Mark absolutely wanted to have it. He did not care about it at all when we still had two new wings." On the other hand, German Vettel "immediately" liked the new wing when he ran it in practice, said the engineer. "We believe that the team management's decision was well-reasoned and logical," he added. Additionally, it is reported that Webber's RB6 chassis is actually slightly lighter than Vettel's, with the team working to equalize the Australian's naturally taller and heavier body.

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Ferrari Cools Rossi F1 Switch Rumors: Ferrari has cooled speculation that Valentino Rossi might be ready to push for a switch to F1. When the Italian recently broke his leg in a MotoGP practice crash, the rumor mill suggested the timing might be right for Rossi to turn his attention to four wheels. But with the 31-year-old now back to racing fitness and tipped to sign a deal with Ducati, Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has indicated that Rossi is still focused on bikes. "It (Rossi switching to F1) would be great, but he has many more years on two wheels," the Italian said in an interview with La Stampa.

'No Panic' In Schumacher's Push For Pace - Vettel: Michael Schumacher's return to F1 is on track, according to Sebastian Vettel. Germany's newer sensation, once nicknamed "Baby Schumi" by the domestic press, said he is not among those who believe 41-year-old Schumacher's comeback this year has been a failure. "It is far from easy to return after a three-year break, even though he was never entirely away from Formula One," Vettel told the German magazine Der Spiegel. "The cars have changed, the tires as well. Many things are not the way that he had become accustomed to." The 23-year-old backed F1's only seven time World Champion to complete his return to full competitiveness. "If someone can do it, it is him. When I look at his face and read his body language, I do not see any confusion or panic," added Vettel.
Colonel Gaddafi's son linked with Villeneuve/Durango

Colonel Gaddafi's Son Linked With Villeneuve/Durango: One of Jacques Villeneuve's potential team investors is reportedly the son of the Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi. Al-Saadi al-Gaddafi, known as a businessman and professional football player, is backing Villeneuve and Italian racing team Durango's bid for the 13th place on the 2011 grid, according to Italiaracing. It is also claimed that Russian and Italian businessmen are investing in the F1 foray, while Luca Filippi and Davide Valsecci are in the running to be the 1997 World Champion's teammate. Gaddafi Jr., 37, is closely linked with the state-owned Libyan oil refining company Tamoil, former shirt sponsor of the Italian football club Juventus. Italiaracing.net also said that if hopeful outfit Stefan GP wins the 13th team entry, the Serbian car would be powered by a Cosworth engine.

Williams Tester Bottas Eyes F1 Debut In 2012: Williams reserve driver Valtteri Bottas is targeting a place on the 2012 grid. "Williams is not likely to change drivers for next season, but 2012 might be different," the 20-year-old Finn, a frontrunner in the F3 Euroseries, is quoted by Turun Sanomat. Currently, Bottas conducts some straightline tests for the famous British team, and like his predecessor Nico Hulkenberg undertakes tasks at the Grove factory. "It is a bit like an apprenticeship for an F1 driver," he said. Bottas said he will do some more aerodynamic testing in 2010, "and after the season the young drivers test in Abu Dhabi. "The next step would be GP2," he explained. "Williams will probably be involved in the decision about the team when the time comes." Bottas could also immediately step into the FW32 if either Hulkenberg or Rubens Barrichello are unable to race, even though he doesn't currently possess a mandatory super license. He is managed by 1998 and 1999 World Champion Mika Hakkinen, who works for his own manager Didier Coton's organization. "My career is in good hands and I never would have reached this point without them," insisted Bottas.