EXCLUSIVE: Senna respects Brawn call

Senna, who was scheduled to meet with Brawn this week but had his audience cancelled, says he understands the reasons behind Brawn's decision to stick with the experienced Rubens Barrichello partnering Jenson Button.

Senna told autosport.com: "It seems that Ross [Brawn] has made his decision. It looks like he's based it on the security of the team - it's much easier for him to take Rubens because he's worked with him for a long time.

"Ross was happy with my testing at the end of last year, but it just wasn't enough for him to have the proof that I'm ready for Formula One. I respect his opinion, but I think it's a very straightforward way of looking at things."

The decision has left Senna's plans for 2009 in limbo.

He sees little to gain from another season in the GP2 feeder formula, and turned down options with iSport and Campos, but remains determined to graduate to Formula One as soon as he can.

"We have quite a few things going on now," he said. "We have quite a few proposals, both outside and inside Formula One. It's a difficult moment, because we need to think about which way is the best to go.

"It's very important for me to be linked with Formula One, this year and in the future, in whatever we decide to do. One thing I have learned from this is you've got to be in the right place at the right time."

Senna confirmed he has had preliminary talks with Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug over a possible drive in the German-based DTM touring car championship.

"We have spoken with Norbert but we haven't taken anything forward from our chat yet," said Senna. "When we last spoke I still had a really good chance with Honda in Formula One, so I can't really say anything - the discussion hasn't really happened about [the DTM] yet.

"It's something that is certainly in the frame, but we need to talk about it a lot more. Whatever I do, I will take it very seriously. I want to be successful in anything I do.

"GP2 has been a very good preparation for me to get to Formula One, but there are also some series that are a step sideways from that. I think whatever chance arises can be what I make it to be. It's important to get a good strategy so I'm tied up with Formula One in whatever we chose to do. It's not an easy task."