You call Patrese with 256 races. I think you know that he start in 257 races. He have a DNS at Buenos Aires in 1979.

If this is how the counter is working, then at this moment we can say that Rubens have 251 starts I substract the DNS and DNQ races from the total of 253.

This is what I found on my f1 stats page, but I always check the others and they have the same situation. I take a look at the official F1 page, and there at Rubens is 253, but they call it “Grand Prix entered”, and this is a different look at the problem.

I agree with those who say that we count only those who start. If not perhaps if I will go to a F1 race I will be in the stats with 1 race?!?

Indeed he will become the most experienced, and unless Coulthard or Fisichella manage to keep on going I can’t see his record being broken any time soon. Particularly if Rubens drives for another year or two.

Here is a list of Rubens all time races: Barrichello’s stats at 4mula1.ro.

Either way Rubens is likely to take the record which is a sort of achievement in itself, one that Michael Schumacher doesn’t have.

@Don: Regarding the race restarting, I’m with you on that one. Although I’m pretty sure the ‘98 Belgian race restarted and ran for a further 43 laps, one less than the scheduled 44 due to the incident on lap one. Of course, I could be very wrong, it was almost eight-and-a-bit years ago. Crikey! I’m getting old.

With the Spa incident, I think that if the race were say 60 laps and the restart was again run over 60 laps then that brings up a bit of a conundrum – but if the race was reduced by a lap due to the cars having set off and some already completing one lap before the red flags then he most certainly did compete in that race.

I consider intention and achieving as two different things. I imagine all drivers fully intend starting and probably winning the race as they roll out of the garage to take to the grid. But achieving that start, to me, is different.

It’s interesting how people have different views on what should be black and white. It makes me laugh that even Barrichello cannot decide. 250 or 252?

Edit: Ah, I’ve read that slightly wrong. Barrichello states on his site ‘252 Entries, 250 Driven’. But then he also has Patrese down as 255. Bloomin’ ‘eck!