FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[7UpJordan]

He's coming back again! But not to re-claim his record that Barrichello took from him. I wonder if he'll be any quicker than Barrichello and Button? He showed some good pace when he tested for Williams a few years back.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20745.html

Riccardo Patrese was for many years the most-experienced Formula 1 driver of all time with 256 race starts. His record was finally broken this year by Honda's Rubens Barrichello, after Michael Schumacher fell short of the record when he quit the sport at the end of 2006 with 251 Grands Prix behind him.

Patrese, who is now 54 years old, left F1 in 1993 but will get his chance to try a modern car thanks to his contribution to the celebrations when Barrichello beat the record. While taking part in a celebratory golf tournament, Riccardo mentioned that he would love to try out a Honda F1 car, and the team was delighted to give him this opportunity. The car will be one of last year's RA107s and the test will take place tomorrow at Jerez de la Frontera.

In the course of his long career Patrese only won six races but was on the podium 37 times. He now commentates for Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia.

[McLaren Fan]

Patrese was a solid driver and - stating the obvious - has a lot of experience behind him, so it will be interesting to see what he thinks the differences between modern and 1980s and '90s Formula One cars are (assuming he tells us!).

[texasmr2]

It will/would be a thrill for me to see this 'old dog' back again but a test is only a test. Hopefully his experience can make a positive contribution to the team.

[bud]

doubt he would be fit enough to be quick

[texasmr2]

doubt he would be fit enough to be quick

Maybe not but wouldn't it be cool??

[bud]

doubt he would be fit enough to be quick

Maybe not but wouldn't it be cool??

he will have a blast, what was the last F1 he has driven? did he do any tests after he retired? this will be a huge difference for him

[7UpJordan]

doubt he would be fit enough to be quick

Maybe not but wouldn't it be cool??

he will have a blast, what was the last F1 he has driven? did he do any tests after he retired? this will be a huge difference for him

He did a few tests for Williams, in 1996 he set a time at Silverstone that would have put him on the front row behind Hill at that year's race, and he was invited back again by Williams as a "thank you" for his years of service to them to test the FW24 in 2002 with Ralf and Montoya.

[bud]

Cheers 7up, i wonder how he will go, i love seeing some of the past drivers tryout the current spec cars!

saying that Mika disappointed me when he tested the McLaren a couple years back

[McLaren Fan]

Formula One cars are so different from when Patrese last drove one, and he's fairly old now, so I don't expect him to be fast or able to contribute too much to Honda. Still, it will be fun for him and his views on the cars will be noteworthy. Hakkinen's testing speed was poor for similar reasons, and that he had completely overhauled his driving style to suit DTM cars.

[7UpJordan]

Cheers 7up, i wonder how he will go, i love seeing some of the past drivers tryout the current spec cars!

saying that Mika disappointed me when he tested the McLaren a couple years back

Well if Riccardo puts in times faster than Button or Barrichello, I hope Sir Frank takes notice.

[bud]

Cheers 7up, i wonder how he will go, i love seeing some of the past drivers tryout the current spec cars!

saying that Mika disappointed me when he tested the McLaren a couple years back

Well if Riccardo puts in times faster than Button or Barrichello, I hope Sir Frank takes notice.

imagine that, thats some sabbatical

[McLaren Fan]

Cheers 7up, i wonder how he will go, i love seeing some of the past drivers tryout the current spec cars!

saying that Mika disappointed me when he tested the McLaren a couple years back

Well if Riccardo puts in times faster than Button or Barrichello, I hope Sir Frank takes notice.

imagine that, thats some sabbatical

It's touch and go whether Barrichello will be racing next season. Perhaps Patrese sees his chance at reclaiming his record.

[7UpJordan]

Cheers 7up, i wonder how he will go, i love seeing some of the past drivers tryout the current spec cars!

saying that Mika disappointed me when he tested the McLaren a couple years back

Well if Riccardo puts in times faster than Button or Barrichello, I hope Sir Frank takes notice.

imagine that, thats some sabbatical

It's touch and go whether Barrichello will be racing next season. Perhaps Patrese sees his chance at reclaiming his record.

I remember a few years back Patrese said he'd consider returning if he had to defend his record.

[Denthúl]

Nooo. It's bad enough with all the talk of Alonso replacing Rubens. They should ditch Button instead

[McLaren Fan]

Nooo. It's bad enough with all the talk of Alonso replacing Rubens. They should ditch Button instead

Without wanting to go too much off topic, but either Barrichello has defied the aging process a fair bit (co-ordination, stamina, etc.) or Button is just underperforming. Given that we don't really know for sure and that Button is supposed to be a top driver and that Barrichello has done so well against him, I'd like to see the Brazilian stay in Formula One. If you're good enough, you're young enough.