Formula One news

Button urges Honda to keep Barrichello

Jenson Button has told his Honda team bosses to keep Rubens Barrichello on in 2009 and not replace him with one of the young charges the team is testing this month in Spain.

Honda will be trying out Bruno Senna and Lucas di Grassi this month at Barcelona and has yet to confirm its driver line-up for 2009, although it is widely rumoured Button has already been retained in secret.

But Button believes his and Barrichello's combined experience will be a better option for the team with all the new regulations in 2009 than throwing an rookie into the fray.

"There are so many changes with the car with aerodynamics, KERS and slick tyres that the team will need lots of feedback from us," Button was quoted as saying by Autosport. "Having a new guy in the car, I don't feel you'll get as much feedback, but it's not my decision."

"Rubens has driven better this year than at any point since he joined Honda," he added. "This is his best season and he says he is driving better now than he ever has done, and he doesn't lie."

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