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If driver support counted, Rubens Barrichello wouldn’t have a problem finding a Formula One team next season.

The veteran Brazilian has yet to secure a deal to race in F1 in 2012 but has plenty of backing from fellow drivers who don’t want to see him retire just yet.

“It would be a real shame to lose Rubens for the future, because he belongs here,” said Sebastian Vettel, who has won his second consecutive F1 title. “He has been here for a long time. Pretty crazy to imagine yourself to be around that long.”

The 39-year-old Barrichello, who made his F1 debut with Jordan in 1993, could be participating in his final F1 race at the Brazilian GP on Sunday because Williams has yet to announce its lineup. There have been rumors that Kimi Raikkonen may return to F1 to replace the Brazilian, who would have to scramble to try to find another team.

“It’s great that he still wants to race,” McLaren’s Jenson Button said. “I hope he’s racing next year. The hunger obviously is still there for Rubens.”

If Barrichello reaches a deal with Williams or another team, next season would be his 20th in racing’s top level. He has made more friends than enemies in F1 and remains one of the most-liked drivers on the circuit.

Barrichello said he had not lost much sleep over next year because he knew he has had “19 lovely seasons” in F1 and would not feel like a failure if he could not find a drive for 2012. He does want to come back, though, and feels confident he will get a deal soon.

In what could have been his last F1 qualifying session, Barrichello finished 12th on Saturday in front of his home fans, a result better than he expected.

“It was like a victory to me,” he said. “Hopefully it’s not the last time I can do something like this.”  

Associated Press