Debuting in Formula 1 is a milestone that very few in history have achieved, but if that is already difficult, managing to stay in the top category of motorsport for 300 grand prix seems almost unattainable.
But not for a select club that has overcome that impressive barrier that translates into nearly two decades driving in the Grand Circus at the highest level, which now has a new member from the French Grand Prix of the 2022 season.
Lewis Hamilton, by being part of the start of the race at the Paul Ricard track, became the sixth driver of the 72-year longevity of Formula 1 to reach 300 tests. Therefore, let’s see who the other five are and in what grand prix they did it.
Kimi Raikkonen (350 grand prizes)
The Finnish driver made his debut in Australia in 2001, curiously at the same event as another who will appear on the list and who has followed a similar path. By chance of fate, the one who continues to be the one who has played the most Formula 1 races, celebrated his third centenary in the same place as Lewis Hamilton, in France, although he did it three years earlier, in 2019 , with the Alfa Romeo team.
On that occasion, Raikkonen qualified 12th in Saturday’s session, but managed to break through the midfield to claim a creditable 7th place.
Fernando Alonso (346 Grands Prix)
The Spaniard made his debut together with Raikkonen in the Great Circus, and although it took him a little longer to get good results due to the team he was in, the wait did not last long until his first victory in Hungary 2003. However, it was not until the Appointment in Austria 2018 when he celebrated his 300th career in Formula 1, at a time when he was about to announce his first withdrawal from the category.
In that test, the McLaren driver started last on the grid, but with his skill behind the wheel of the MCL33 he managed to climb the table to eighth.
Rubens Barrichello (323 Grands Prix)
The Brazilian achieved what seemed impossible, staying in Formula 1 until he surpassed the all-time record, something he kept for several courses until Raikkonen overtook him. Barrichello blew out the candles at the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix, an event featuring a duel between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel that the Spaniard finally won, but in which the Williams driver finished sixth.
Michael Schumacher (307 Grand Prizes)
The German driver is the most successful in history in terms of world titles, tied with Lewis Hamilton, but the Kaiser was a myth in Formula 1. With his seven world championships he created an eternal legacy, which is still maintained while fans are praying that he recovers from that unfortunate skiing incident.
However, returning to happier times, the German had a good weekend in Italy in the 2012 season, the day he completed his 300th career in the top category, where he qualified in a good fourth position than in the race. became a sixth.
Jenson Button (306 grand prizes)
The Briton was one of the most beloved inside the paddock, as confirmed by the comments of his teammates, but more than that, Jenson Button carved out a niche for himself in Formula 1 based on hard work and not giving up, since his first victory it came in an agonizing 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix , in the rain and in very difficult conditions.
That was in his 113th career in Formula 1, making him the third driver in history that took the longest to win, but that does not detract from his incredible career in which he added his 300th Grand Prix in Malaysia in 2016. , when he was still hoping to make McLaren-Honda a winning project together with Fernando Alonso.
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