Rubens Barrichello won't regret leaving F1 without fanfare if Brazilian Grand Prix is last race

Barrichello, 39, insists that he is still approaching the possibility of driving in 2012 positively, despite the risk that he could end up without a drive for the first time since making his debut in 1993.

He is keen to remain with Williams for a third season, but has also spoken with a number of other teams about a possible seat in 2012.

"I'm not working with that idea," he said when asked about the possibility of this being his last race. "I'm a man of the public and I will never say goodbye to them.

"I think that my work has been extremely well done. I have a lot of speed in myself and I reckon that with all of the changes next year with the engine, the engineers, building up the car, it will be very clever for the team to keep the drivers.

"That is all that I am doing. Trying to show them that that's the way they should do it."

Although determined to stay in F1, Barrichello insists that he will only join up with a team if it is the "right combination".

He is waiting on several teams, including Williams, to inform him about a possible seat, but is adamant that he is expects to be signed on merit.

"I'm not asking for favours," he said when asked by AUTOSPORT about his situation. "If people want me to stay in F1, I will stay because they know that I'm fast, I'm experienced and I can deliver.

"It would mean a great deal for me to have 20 years in F1 when I'm 40, but I need to have the right combination. And Williams have that right combination.

"The other teams I'm talking with have that possibility too, so in that aspect I am waiting."

Barrichello confirmed that he is also hopeful of raising some sponsorship that could aid him in staying in F1.

The Brazilian insists that he has no problems with bringing money to a team and sees it as part of the job.

"If that is what it takes, I've talked to a few that are very interested and I hope that we can have something in place.

"I don't know if that's what will determine my stay or not because I haven't been asked. But I've said that I will search in case it comes to that."