Barrichello set for record 257th F1 Grand Prix

The Turkish Grand Prix marks the 257th appearance of the soft-spoken Brazilian in the sport as he betters the mark of Italian Riccardo Patrese, who had 256 races 1977-1993. 

   The seven-time world champion Schumacher, in whose shadow Barrichello spent so many years, managed "only" 250 races.

 "Becoming the most experienced Formula One driver ever means a great deal to me," said Barrichello, who turns 36 on May 23.

 Patrese told autosport.com: "I will feel some sadness, of course. I was pleased to keep the record, but records are there to be beaten - and the only thing I can say is that I congratulate Rubens for doing it."

   It is not fully clear by Formula One records whether Barrichello really achieves the milestone in Istanbul, but for himself, his Honda team and many experts the Turkish GP marks race 257.

 "In view of the lack of consensus regarding which specific race marks Rubens' 257th Grand Prix, Rubens will celebrate the milestone of 257 Grand Prix appearances at the Turkish Grand Prix on 11 May 2008," Honda said in a statement.

 "His Honda race car and his helmet will feature a specially designed 257' livery throughout the weekend."

   Barrichello is set to celebrate with family and friends in Istanbul. Honda already held a VIP golf tournament in his honour after the recent Spanish GP, featuring among others Patrese and British McLaren-Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton. 

   Like Patrese, Barrichello never managed a world title, but the Brazilian is the more successful driver with nine race wins to Patrese's six and two second-place finishes in the world championship (2002 and 2004) to Patrese's one from 1992.

 He made his debut at the South African GP in March 1993 for Jordan, racing at the time against the likes of the late Ayrton Senna. He moved on to Stewart 1997-1999, spent six seasons alongside Schumacher at Ferrari 2000-2005 and then joined Honda in 2006.

  I've had a long career in Formula One and I have so many wonderful memories, but I don't feel any different today to the day when I started out on this journey in 1993," he said.

 "My first race, at Kyalami, seems like yesterday. I was lucky enough to start my career in F1 at a young age and I love racing as much as ever and, importantly, I still love Formula One.

 "While people will look back at my 16-year career in Turkey, I'm still looking forward and the next race is the one that matters the most."    

   But it was not all glory.

 Barrichello never managed to fulfil the role of a new Senna and has now revealed that he felt somewhat unfairly treated by Ferrari as the number two behind Schumacher. 

   He had to let Schumacher pass in several races and the final of those incidents - the infamous US GP in 2005 in which only six cars competed and Schumacher had no chance to get the world title - finally made him quit the famous outfit.

 "In this moment I knew that the time had come for me to go. That race in the United States was crucial," he told Brazilian TV Globo.

 "When I signed the contract there was nothing to indicate that the drivers would be treated differently. Inside, I was often angry about it, because everyone claimed that there were no differences between us, but it was an unequal battle."