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Bloody 'JENSE looks to set his own record at the
Hockenheimring this Sunday. (Image source: topnews.in)
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Whilst much adu was made over the affable
Brazilian Felipe Massa's 200th Grand Prix start at Silverstone, nevertheless,
the British Grand Prix on the whole was fairly lackluster for Team 'Willy -
with Susie Wolff's FP1 (Free Practice) debut being short lived after an oil
pressure failure, with Massa crashing repeatedly, not to mention the team's
drivers being outfoxed by the changing weather conditions - failing to
escape the Q1 Qualie' session, Massa was
still looking forward to starting his 200th GP.
Yet, as Y'all know, Massa was the unfortunate
victim of a first lap crash when thee 'Kimster (K. Raikkonen) careened off of a
ditch, broke his suspension and augured nose into the barriers, causing nearly
an hour's Red flag period.
Ironically, Kimi Räikkönen & his Oomphlats were
the latest inductees into the prestigious 200 Starts Club, when the
Monosyllabic Finn notched his Double Century Grand Prix start at this year's
Canadian GP, to which, in typical Iceman fashion, he was very non-plussed
about.
As Räikkönen became the
sport's 14th driver to accomplish the feat, now having been joined by Massa,
only the 15th driver to do so...
As Felipe will
ever be intertwined with my acquisition of a Speed Freaks "Freakin'
is My Business" T-shirt sent to
Mwah for callin' out Crash Gladys upon calling the affable Brazilian Felipe
Moss; YIKES! As think I'll dig I-T out 'N wear it down to the coast in honour
of Massa...
Hence, whilst casting around thee A-L-L
Knowing intrawoods, nee internetz to confirm my long dormant records on such Statistical
matters, I came across the following story, albeit obviously written prior to
200 Club members No's 12-13 joining the fray; and obviously this year's latest
two inductees.
As I've previously scribbled about
"Fredrico Suave" (Fernando Alonso) and Mark 'Handlebarz Webber
joining the club in;
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| 'Mean Jean Alesi's 200th GP start liveried Jordan EJ11-Honda racecar. (Diecast model) |
As for reasons unknown, the 10 Most
Experienced F1 Drivers article above leaves out 'Mean Jean
Alesi from its honours roll, as the mercurial Frenchman completed 201 Grand
Prix's, as I still recall seeing his yellow & black Benson & Hedges;
Err Buzzin 'N Hornets Jordan adorned with 200 numerals on its sidepods at the
2001 USGP, my debutant outing to Mother Speedway, nee Indianapolis Motor
Speedway - the first international sporting event held after that nefarious
9/11 event...
Thus, by my very unofficial records, Bloody
'JENSE will take over the No. 3 slot this weekend at Hockenheim, where he'll
surpass past most Grand Prix starts record holder Riccardo Patrese's once
astounding tally of 256 starts.
As it seems Trulli' funny to realize how fast
time has flown by, with Jenson having also surpassed ex-F1 driver thy
"Trulli Scrumptious" (Jarno Trulli) 'Juan's tally of 252-starts -
still being able to fondly recall Jenson Button being a rookie for Williams-BMW
'Wayback in 2000 while being mentored by then BMW Motorsports Boss Gerhard
"Blockhead" Berger, along with having his driver's license suspended
for speeding in a BMW Diesel!
As the 15-times Grand Prix winner and 2009 F1
world champion has come a long ways from those Team Willy' days, stirring
emotions whilst wearing a pink helmet in salute of his departed father whilst
qualifying an excellent third and then putting on a superbly entertaining chase
for the podium's final step at his home Grand Prix at Silverstone last time
out.
Thus, Button should make Grand Prix start No.
257 at 'Der Hockenheimring this Sunday, trailing only Rubino's staggering
record of 322-starts, the only record Rubens Barrichello holds over former
team-mate 'DER TERMINATOR, nee Michael Schumacher who finished his illustrious
F1 career with 307 starts.
As the verdict's still
out on whether or not Button will return to McLaren in 2015, yet surely will at
least reach the mid-260's for starts by the end of this season, and at only
34yrs old, could well pass Rubino's record for longevity...