Grapevine: Blick: Barrichello Renews Ferrari Contract

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello has signed a contract with the Ferrari team until the end of the 2006 season, according to a report in Swiss newspaper Blick.

Barrichello's current contract with the World Champions runs out at the end of the 2004 season whereas teammate Michael Schumacher, winner of a record sixth title this year, is signed up to the end of 2006.

Now the Brazilian driver will stay at the Maranello-based squad until that same year.

Barrichello's contract extension, if confirmed, would mean that Ferrari would keep their 'dream team' until the end of 2006. Team principal Jean Todt, technical director Ross Brawn and chief designer Rory Byrne also have a contract until the 2006 season.

The report in Blick claims that Ferrari's talks with Barrichello were sped up due to an offer coming from the Williams-BMW team, who have no drivers contracted for the 2005 season yet.

German Ralf Schumacher is still in talks to renew his contract, which expires at the end of this year, while Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya will leave the Grove-based squad to join McLaren in 2005.