Mat Coch writes:

It's his bubbling enthusiasm you pay for, the experience comes free claims veteran Rubens Barrichello. After rounding out his eighteenth season in Formula One with twelfth place in Abu Dhabi the Brazilian believes he's far from finished.

"It looked like a sad race but I was fighting the whole way through," Rubens told reporters.

An hour after the race the 38-year-old was still bubbling with excitement over his drive. "I had a hell of a race. I pushed so damned hard the whole way through and nobody saw it. I overtook Sutil, people think he left the pits behind me but he was in front. He went into turn three, he was right in front and I overtook him on the outside into turn four."

Battling Force India in the constructors' title it was a move Barrichello thought had saved the team's sixth place in the standings, and with it the financial rewards that follow. "In my view we were still fighting for eighth and ninth," the Brazilian admitted, "so in that one overtaking I was so damned proud because I saved the team three million!"

With over 300 races to his name the Brazilian is the most experienced driver in the sport by some margin, yet almost two decades on from his debut for Jordan in 1993 he remains as passionate about the sport now as then. Rubinho, as he's affectionately known, believes that passion is one of the keys to his longevity in Formula one. "I'm doing the job with lots of passion, and although I had a much tougher season this year than last season because I was fighting for known places, I still enjoy it fully.

"I'm so much in love with it," he continued. "It's going to be so damn easy for me to know when its time to stop because what I sell the team is this; it's the motivation, it's not the experience, the experience comes gratis!"

Team boss Frank Williams yesterday confirmed that an announcement on drivers was expected before Christmas, though there was no hurry in signing anyone just yet. Barrichello however, remains confident that he will remain with the team in 2011, and in doing so break the record he currently shares with Graham Hill for the longest active racing career.

"It was never a one year type of thing, so though I cannot confirm that I am in next year I feel [that I will be driving next year]. I feel because I've been invited to go to the factory, I've been invited for plenty of things that I need to do."

When he does eventually retire Barrichello plans on being a father to his children, far removed from the hectic pace of life in Formula One. Until that day, and while the passion he has for the sport still burns, Rubinho intends to continue racing in Formula One. Though at just 38-years-old and with the prospect of a 20 race calendar in the season ahead it's possible the Brazilian could reach over 450 races before he calls it a day, after all Fangio was 46 when he won his last title.