Hopefuls Barrichello, Sutil, play down impact of Raikkonen news

Rubens Barrichello and Adrian Sutil have both played down the impact on their own futures of Renault’s signing of Kimi Raikkonen.

Both Barrichello and Sutil, who are danger of losing their Williams and Force India seats respectively, were believed to be eyeing a vacancy at Renault for 2012.

"I am not reading anything this week since there’s so much gossip," Brazil’s Globo quoted Barrichello as saying.

"My wife called me to say ’Just so you know, Kimi has signed (for Renault)’," the 39-year-old explained.

"I think it caught many people by surprise and me as well, but I have always said that my best chance is Williams. So my situation remains the same.

"I’m happy with what is happening to me. I appreciate the friendship of Felipe (Massa) but I want to be there next year, so this time I am listening only to Schumacher," he laughed.

Another driver who reportedly considered Renault an option for 2012 was Sutil, but - like Barrichello - the German’s manager played down the impact of the Raikkonen news.

"Since I guessed it already, it does not directly affect our future," Manfred Zimmermann is quoted by DPA news agency.