I don't think I have ever done a post about Rubens, so here goes(I am using a brand new computer - as you all know, there are few experiences more weird than switching machines. This one is leading me towards glasses I fear). Anyway, the Brazilian will, by his own estimate, equal Ricardo Patrese's record for the most Grand Prix contested by one driver when he starts the Spanish Grand Prix in a week's time.
Rubens will have competed in no less than 256 races when he leaves Montmelo and he will become the outright record holder once he has done his work in Turkey two weeks later. It is a superb achievement and testament to Rubens's staying power and professionalism in managing to survive at the top, or near the top, of the sport for so long.
Under him and Patrese in the table are Michael Schumacher in third place(249 races), DC fourth(231), Gerhard Berger fifth(210), then Andrea de Cesaris(208). After DC, who looks unlikely to get close to the record and will probably end up with a career total of 246 races, the next "active" driver who, in theory, could threaten the top pair is Giancarlo Fisichella, currently in 12th spot with 197 races. Then it's Jarno(14th, 184) and then Jenson(33rd, 138 races).
Rubens has driven for Jordan Hart, Jordan Peugeot, Stewart Ford, Ferrari and Honda in a Formula One career which started at the South African Grand Prix in 1993 and has included 13 poles, 30 starts from the front row, nine race wins and 26 second and third places respectively. At the top of this post I mentioned that his tally of races contested is "by his own estimate" because there are a few disputed races. Honda have simply asked Rubens himself to decide on these and and are following his interpretation. This, incidentally, is at odds with the latest edition of the Grand Prix Guide(the Formula One statistical bible) which has him on 250 races at the beginning of this season meaning that he will not equal the record until Monaco.
In brief, Rubens does not count the race at Imola in 1994 when he crashed in practice and did not qualify for the race, but he does count three other occasions - Spa '98, Spain '02, France '02 - when he barely played a part. At Spa he was involved in a big pile up at the first corner and then did not take part in a new race start; in Spain he had a gearbox problem at the start of the formation lap, and in France his car suffered an electrical problem on the grid.
These are minor details which will become irrelevant in any event after a few more races this season. It is hard to know whether 2008 will be Rubens's last hurrah in Formula One which would give him a total of 278 races. There was some speculation he might not be retained this year, but so far Honda seem impressed with his pace and commitment this season. As one source put it: "We are not ageist here - it's all about results and Rubens is delivering in that department."
So there you have it and congrats to Rubens.
Pic of Rubens by Cor Lems via flickr