Rubens Barrichello will test an Indycar next week at the behest of his close friend and series driver Tony Kanaan.
A photo has emerged of F1’s record-setting veteran Rubens Barrichello having a moulded seat fitted in the 2012-specification KV Racing car.
The image follows reports the 39-year-old, having lost his formula one race seat after 19 consecutive seasons, will test the new DW12 - named after the late Dan Wheldon - at Sebring over two days early next week.
Brazil’s Globo claims Barrichello was invited to test the car by his countryman Kanaan as well as KV team owner Jimmy Vasser.
It is believed Kanaan suggested the available Barrichello would be an ideal driver to advise KV on the setup of Indycar’s 2012 single seater.
"After you (Barrichello) play with my toy you’ll give it back, right? It’s mine!" joked Kanaan.
"As we can’t keep the secret anymore, Rubens Barrichello will be testing for us. Very proud he can help KV Racing and myself with his feedback," he added on Twitter.
Barrichello’s assistant Anderson Marsili confirmed the news.
"It’s an old invitation but now that he has no contract for 2012, he has accepted it to give his help and his opinion to his friend," he said.
"It’s nothing more than that."