Heidfeld plays down KERS fears Alonso maintains his burning desire to succeed Q&A: Martin Whitmarsh The Hungarian GP timetable Max launches libel proceedings against tabloid F1 teams preview the Hungarian GP Hamilton: It's business as usual Heikki completes Jerez test on top Lewis: Night race could be tricky & technical Kimi 'more happy and more positive'

NEXT RACE - 3rd August

Grand Prix of Hungary

News | Circuit | Previews | Results | Betting

FELIPE MASSA

Home | News | Driver Profile | Official Site | Results in F1

Massa wouldn't mind Barrichello's record

Thursday 15th May 2008

Felipe Massa wouldn't mind passing Rubens Barrichello's record for the most GP starts but only if he remains in a winning position throughout.

This past weekend's Turkish GP saw Barrichello beat Ricardo Patrese's previous record for having competed in the most F1 grands prix. The Brazilian racked up his 257th start on Sunday when he lined- up on the Istanbul grid.

The race took place hours after a party was thrown to celebrate Barrichello's milestone with Massa one of the drivers in attendance.

However, whether the Ferrari driver will ever have a party like that for his own achievement could all depend on how competitive he remains over the years.

"There was one special event I was happy to attend at the Istanbul circuit and that was a reception for Rubens Barrichello to celebrate the fact that at the Turkish Grand Prix, he broke Ricardo Patrese's record for having competed in the most F1 grands prix, as this was Rubens' 257th start," said Massa who has competed in 93 races.

"Do I want to beat that record? It seems like a big challenge. It's true that I love racing and as long as that is the case I will continue to do it and it won't matter if I am 27 or 37.

"As long as I am competitive as a driver, I will race. If I am not then I will stop, because I am not in this sport just to be in Formula 1, I am here because I want to win.

"As long as I feel physically fit and competitive and as long as a team gives me the opportunity then I will race. But if I have any doubts, I will stop and I don't really think I will keep going long enough to beat that record.

"Also, these days there are so many very young drivers in F1 that I think it would be quite easy for some of those who have come into the sport in the last couple of years to reach this total without even being very old."

Post to del.icio.us