Barrichello begins record-breaking 257 Grands Prix celebrations

The Honda Racing F1 Team’s Rubens Barrichello reaches a historic milestone this season as he becomes the most experienced Formula One driver of all time, surpassing the record of 256 Grands Prix held by Riccardo Patrese since 1993.

To celebrate Rubens’ fantastic achievement, the Honda Racing F1 Team held a celebratory event, The Rubens Barrichello 257 Golf Tournament, in Barcelona following the Spanish Grand Prix.

Held at the prestigious Real Club de Golf El Prat, Rubens was joined by Honda Team Principal Ross Brawn, current record holder Riccardo Patrese, fellow F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and David Coulthard, plus his former team boss at Stewart Grand Prix, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE.

Representatives from the Honda Racing F1 Team’s partners, along with members of the F1 and wider sporting media, also joined Rubens and his VIP guests on the special day.

Providing expert advice to the players was Jose-Manuel Lara from the PGA European Tour and Paul Barrington, the 2005 World Golf Trick Shot Champion, who entertained the guests with a very impressive trick-shot display to round-off the activities.

Players had the opportunity to compete in the 18-hole tournament for a bespoke winners’ trophy designed by the Honda Racing F1 Team’s ex Chief Mechanic Alastair Gibson and manufactured solely from components on Rubens’ RA108 Formula One car.

Prizes were donated by team partners Bridgestone and Seiko for the Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin competitions, although a Honda Civic Hybrid car up for grabs for a Hole-in-One remaining unclaimed on the day.

Following the tournament and prize-giving ceremony, the highlight of the day for Rubens was the presentation of a Honda CBR 1000RR Fireblade motorbike as a gift from the Honda Racing F1 Team in recognition of his record-breaking achievement.

Rubens will mark his 257th Grand Prix at the Turkish Grand Prix, held at the Istanbul Park circuit, on Sunday 11 May. His Honda RA108 race car and helmet will feature a specially designed ‘257’ livery throughout the weekend.