Rubens Barrichello has confirmed he is close to extending his tenure at Williams.

The Brazilian veteran made the admission whilst contemplating the Hockenheim team orders furore, comparing it to his famous move to let Michael Schumacher win the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix.

"Many understand now how it was in 2002," he is quoted in Spanish and Portuguese language reports. "They understand why I left Ferrari a year before the end of a contract.”

Barrichello drove for Ferrari between 2000 and 2005, but claims he is much happier now.

"I may not have been champion in that time, but I was always fair, and now it is past," he said. "Now I'm at the team I want to be with and am about to extend my contract for another year. 

"I want to be champion with Williams.”