2010 Formula One Season Milestones

The 2010 Formula One season was quite a few firsts but also there were a few milestones.  Both fans and racers alike only come across historic occasions such as the one's within the 2010 season. 

Days before the Turkish Grand Prix, we came available to the first of the three classic milestones feature.  Ferrari had unveiled their design for 800 races started.  What some fans may not know is that Scuderia-Ferrari is only two years younger than Formula One Racing it's self.  Formula One was first defined in 1946 by the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI) of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). As Ferrari is currently the oldest surviving team on the Formula One circuit, that started out in 1948.

Ferrari's first victory came in the year 1951. It has been a long successful journey over the decades. Ferrari has set a record of 15 drivers' championships, 16 constructors' titles, 211 race victories, 632 podium finishes, 203 pole positions and 221 fastest race laps.

Fans many love to hate Ferrari but with the pedigree that they have obtained, Ferrari deserves the respect of the Formula One community and the fan base alike.  

Three weeks later came the next marker.  The European Grand Prix in Valencia saw the 500th Grand Prix For Lotus Marque. Considered a historic landmark in the Lotus legend.

Colin Chapman established Lotus Engineering Ltd in 1952 when he launched the Type 12. The team acheived domination in 1960s and 1970s with the Lotus 25 was the first monocoque chassis in F1.  With the Lotus marque,  Team Lotus was first team to achieve 50 Grand Prix victories.

So in the 2010 Formula One season,  we saw the Lotus name back in the sport and to lay claim to 500 race starts.

Four races later, another number was brought to light. Rubens Barrichello was about to start his 300th Grand Prix in Belgium.  Not only has Rubens Barrichello's career has spanned 17 years and 300 races, he was considered by Ayrton Senna, as his protégé. 

Rubens Barrichello, on average has placed 7th overall in the Driver's Title standing with coming as close as 18 points in the 2009 season to gaining the Driver's Title. With 2010 season over, Rubens Barrichello has been confirmed as a driver for Williams in 2011. 300 Grands Prix and counting.

On a side note, note only does Barrichello hold the 300 race milestone, he also currently holds the fastest time by a Formula One driver around the Top Gear test track during the show's Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car segment. His lap time of 1:44.3 put him ahead of The Stig 2 by 0.1 seconds.

Congratulations Rubens!