The end of the 2011 Formula One season at the Brazilian Grand Prix would see AT&T Williams F1 driver Rubens Barrichello walk away from his car waving to the crowd. Was the possibility of this being his last race going through his mind or was he totally set in the knowledge that he would be back in 2012 for his twentieth year of F1 racing.

Even though there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding Rubens future on Formula One, let alone his future with the Williams team, Rubens is committed to returning in 2012 and that he still has the drive to race. Rubens spoke of his desire to continue racing, even to the point of saying that he has a new helmet design for 2012.

Rubens said: "My son painted the helmet for me for next year, and if I sign the contract that will be my design for the first race. I really am not ready to finish yet."

Such is Rubens desire to be racing in 2012 he spoke of how, after the finish of the Brazilian race, he did not want to do anything that gave any hint that this was his last race.

Rubens added: "The only thing that I knew when I was on the slowing-down lap was that I could have said goodbye to them [the fans], but I was just waving – I know I will be back."

"I was revving the engine like mad at the end, because I know you could get a penalty for donuts. If it was my last race then I would have done donuts everywhere, but I have to think of next year."

Despite 2011 been a very difficult season for both the Williams team and himself in terms of his race results Rubens still feels that he has done enough to justify the Williams team sticking with him in 2012.

Rubens said: "I think I deserve the race drive for next year. This year it was tough to lead the team, with the exit of Sam [Michael] and the entry of Mark [Gillan] – but they know if anyone can lead, I can do it.

"In F1, people come and go because pretty much you don't have the situations you have in F3, F3000, GP2 or whatever. The pressure is a lot more involved in F1 and sometimes the teams need to make decisions that make you disappointed, so with that, you can get depressed.

"People just come and go, and so many fast drivers went because they were not so happy with F1. How many drivers we have seen like that? When Montoya left F1, we heard that F1 was so crap and people just don't like it – but I love it.

"I am using the positive side and the negative is gone. I am ready to give everything I have for the passion I have behind the steering wheel. Just give me a piece of paper with three lines: you sign on your side, I sign it and I am ready to do it.

"I don't need a big contract; I just need something that tells me I am driving next year in a competitive car. I just want a competitive car. I don't want any favours and I don't want to drive just for the sake of driving."

With the recent announcement that Kimi Raikkonen would be joining the Lotus Renault team in 2012, after much speculation that he was going to join Williams, the door has opened slightly for Rubens to stay on at Williams.