Senna to Honda, Barrichello to IndyCar in '09?

With Bruno Senna believed to be in-line for a test with Honda's Formula 1 team sometime following next month's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, rumours linking countryman Rubens Barrichello to an IndyCar Series switch next year have re-surfaced.

The most experienced driver in the history of the top flight recently revealed his frustration at Honda's 'tiresome' silence regarding its line-up for 2009 [see separate story - click here], with the Brackley-based outfit repeatedly delaying any announcement until - it is understood - Singapore and Japanese Grand Prix winner Fernando Alonso makes up his mind as to where he wishes to drive next season.

Whilst Alonso is seen as little more than a long shot now to join forces with the under-performing Japanese concern - especially given current employer Renault's impressive resurgence of late - GP2 Series vice-champion Senna is reckoned to be a more realistic possibility, even if team principal Ross Brawn has previously stated his preference to see the Brazilian in a testing rather than racing role initially.

"I see myself in Formula 1 soon, or at least I hope so," the nephew of the late, great triple F1 World Champion Ayrton Senna - who has also been strongly linked to Scuderia Toro Rosso - is quoted by F1SA as having told Spanish newspaper Diario Sport.

It was rumoured during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Fuji Speedway that an announcement could take place at Interlagos - home ground to both Barrichello and Senna - in just over a fortnight's time.

Should Senna indeed graduate to the uppermost echelon with Honda, it is believed that Barrichello is the most likely man to make way for the 24-year-old - and, it is suggested, he could be set to head across the Pond to the IndyCar Series where he would rejoin old friends Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves.

South American website Grande Premio reports that the S?o Paulista will test a Honda-powered Penske next month, possibly at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida. There was similar talk back in April [see separate story - click here], whilst the nine-time grand prix-winner has also been linked to the premier Brazilian stock car series, in which former Brazilian F1 aces Tarso Marques, Luciano Burti, Ricardo Zonta and Antonio Pizzonia currently make a living.