Rubens Barrichello has signed a contract extension that will keep him with Ferrari through the 2006 season. The Brazilian's current deal was set to finish in 2004 but Ferrari, who have the legendary Michael Schumacher as their number one driver, have now tied down Barrichello for a further two years.
"Ferrari announce that they have extended their relationship with driver Rubens Barrichello for the 2005 and 2006 sporting campaign," said a statement on the team's official website.
Barrichello's extension will come as a surprise for many in Formula 1. Ferrari were expected to drop Barrichello with Fernando Alonso emerging as a potential number two to Schumacher.
Giancarlo Fisichella is said to be testing with Ferrari this season after his current team Sauber announced that he was free to do so and subsequently the Italian has been linked with a race drive for them in 2005.
Also, Felipe Massa was a test driver for Ferrari last season and it had been rumoured that he had only been loaned to Sauber this year to prepare to take over for Barrichello.