Barrichello determined to keep drive

It is understood that the Brazilian has been informed that he is free to seek opportunities elsewhere, as Honda consider who to slot in alongside Jenson Button next year.

And although Barrichello has been checking out his options, being seen in talks with Scuderia Toro Rosso chief Gerhard Berger in his office in Shanghai on Friday, he says his priority is to remain where he is.

"I am completely focused on doing what I can, and I am doing all I can to stay on," Barrichello told autosport.com. "If it means losing weight for KERS, the six kilogrammes, then that is what I am going to be doing in December and January.

"If it means testing because of this or that, then that is what I am going to be doing. At least I will then know that I have done everything I could.

"I am only (thinking) for F1. I think with all my input I deserve a seat next year. After 16 years I am not tired, I feel I am up to it. I am quite strong physically. There is no stopping me."

With Honda Racing privately admitting that their hopes of luring Fernando Alonso away from Renault have faded, the team are likely to test young drivers - including Bruno Senna - in the winter period.

Nelson Piquet is the other main name who has been linked with the drive - with a Brazilian driver understood to be preferred because of the team's future tie-up with Brazilian oil company Petrobas - who are switching from Williams.

Barrichello has said that he fully respects any decision Honda make - even if it means evaluating someone who could replace him.

"If Honda Racing are happy to test other drivers then that is fine. If they think they are going to find something better by doing that, I have to respect that. I can't do much about it.

"I think what Honda need is someone with experience, with speed and lots of motivation - and that is what they have with me. Right now it is the point of looking at the car. What is bad at the team? It is the car. There is a good bunch of people and I just feel they are concentrating on the wrong stuff, but I have to respect it."

The uncertainty over Barrichello's future means that he could head to his home grand prix in Brazil later this month not knowing if it is his last race or not.

Speaking about that situation he said: "Well emotionally it is a sad feeling, because I felt like whenever the end came it would be nice to say bye, bye, bye. If that is not going to happen then there may be less suffering as well."

And he has rubbished wild rumours that he is poised to test a Penske IndyCar in the future - having ruled out a switch to oval racing already earlier this year.

"Someone invented it big time," he said. "I think I met Roger Penske once when I went to Milwaukee and I don't have his phone number - and I never thought of it.

"I have already said that my wife does not like the idea of me racing on the ovals. That is only thing that she has ever asked. There is nothing there, it was a clear invention."