Barrichello still hopeful for F1 return

Ever since the announcement that Bruno Senna would be joining the Williams Team, Rubens Barrichello's hopes of being on the grid in Formula One in 2012 have looked unlikely.

The 39-year-old Brazilian was hoping to compete in his 20th season in F1 in the upcoming season, but it would seem there just aren't enough seats to go around and Barrichello has missed out.

The rumour-mill suggests that there might still be opportunities at Caterham [Lotus] and HRT, but officially all seats are currently filled.

'There are no more places open. But if the opportunity arises, the dream of competing in my 20th season in Formula 1 is still very much alive. You never know,' Barrichello told O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper as quoted by Sky Sports.

'Sometimes things change for all sorts of reasons and someone calls up your speed and experience.

'Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher came back, so there's no reason I could not as well.'

While Barrichello hopes for an opening back into Formula One, the Brazilian driver has headed over to the United States where he has testing the new Dallara DW12 chassis [named after the late Dan Wheldon] which will be used in Indy Cars next season.

Barrichello completed the first day of a two-day test for KV Racing at Sebring yesterday and will continue to familiarise himself with the car later today.

It is unclear whether Barrichello will make a move into Indy Car Racing after previously promising his wife to never compete on oval tracks.