By Phil Huff
September 8 2008

Racing legend Riccardo Patrese, who started some 256 Grands Prix during his racing Formula One career from 1977 to 1993, will get a taste of modern F1 equipment tomorrow when the Italian gets behind the wheel of the Honda Racing F1 RA107 at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain.

Patrese, who raced a Honda powered Williams Grand Prix car in 1987, has been invited to test the car by the team following his involvement in Rubens Barrichello's celebrations earlier this year - the Honda driver passed Patrese's Grand Prix starts record, now having started a total of 262 races following this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

Riccardo had held the previous record for 15 years, retiring from Formula One after 256 race starts, and in the same year that Rubens started his F1 career.

Whilst taking part in a celebratory golf tournament, Riccardo mentioned that he would love to try out a Honda F1 car, and the team were delighted to give the 54 year old the opportunity. His reconnaissance laps will be completed in a Honda Civic Type-R.

During his 17 year Formula One career, Patrese achieved six wins, 37 podiums, eight pole positions and 13 fastest laps during his 256 race starts. He now commentates for Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia’s F1 coverage.