Rubens Barrichello will race for the Cosworth-powered Williams team in 2010, Brazilian television station Globo announced on Monday. Globo claims that a 'source close to Williams' confirmed the news to commentator and former F1 driver Luciano Burti, ending months of speculation regarding Barrichello's expected departure from the championship-leading Brawn GP team.

Barrichello is expected to be confirmed alongside GP2 champion Nico Hulkenberg for next year at the end of the current season. The news also clears the way for Nico Rosberg's much-anticipated move to Brawn GP, in a direct swap with Barrichello, to line-up alongside championship leader Jenson Button.

More of a surprise however is the news that Williams will run Cosworth power. The Grove-based team is racing with Toyota power this season, and was understood to be in talks with Renault about an engine supply deal for 2010, but have instead opted for the old Cosworth powerplant, that was last raced in 2006 in the back of a Williams. The Cosworth V8 is expected to be well down on power and fuel consumption compared to the current manufacturer engines, with only F1's new teams having thus far chosen the Cosworth supply route.

Barrichello currently lies 14 points behind leader Jenson Button in the drivers' championship, with his home race in Sao Paulo this weekend.