[Racer Duck]

In a sport where speeds, times and results count for everything, statistics are king and for many fans it’s these finer points that make up the very essence of Formula One racing.

And if statistics are king, then the king of statistics has to be Michael Schumacher, who set more fastest laps (76), scored more championship points (1369), clinched more victories (91) and won more titles (7) than any other driver in the history of the sport. Schumacher was so dominant, in fact, that when he retired only one feat still eluded him - that of longevity.

Before hanging up his Ferrari race overalls for the last time at Interlagos in 2006, the German had attended 250 Grands Prix. Unquestionably an impressive tally, but one which remained overshadowed by that of Riccardo Patrese, who entered 257 Grands Prix between 1977 to 1993. Patrese, however, won’t be top of the heap for much longer.

This season Rubens Barrichello is expected to knock the Italian off the top spot and become Formula One racing’s most experienced driver. Having already attended 253 Grands Prix - and with another season driving for Honda ahead of him - Barrichello will set a new record this year.

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