LONDON - New Honda team principal Ross Brawn gave Brazilian Rubens Barrichello a vote of confidence on Monday, knocking back speculation about the driver's Formula One future.
Barrichello, a race winner who worked with Brawn at champions Ferrari when the Briton was technical director there, scored no points in the season that finished in October. British team mate Jenson Button managed six.
"Rubens has one year remaining of his contract. I think the past year was very difficult to judge either driver because of the problems with the car," Brawn told the Formula One Web site (www.formula1.com).
"Personally I think there is no reason not to continue with them as both have proven that they can win races and they are both on very high standards.
"I don't have any concerns about the drivers," he added. "There are much bigger challenges for the team overall and for me than the drivers."
Some media speculation has suggested that Barrichello, 35, could move aside to Honda-backed Super Aguri to make way for Spain's double world champion Fernando Alonso, who has yet to finalise a drive for 2008 after leaving McLaren.
