Barrichello targets 300 Grands Prix

The Brazilian will overhaul Riccardo Patrese's long-standing record in Turkey and, although he admitted there is no guarantee about how long he will stay in the sport, he says his ambition is to try and remain in F1 for the two years it will take him to achieve 300 starts.

"For me, honestly, it feels like I started yesterday, and I don't know how," said Barrichello, whose celebration party in the Istanbul paddock on Saturday night was packed with the media, Honda and Ferrari personnel.

"In my first few years with Jordan, I thought F1 was so difficult - there were a lot of things to do and it wasn't just the pleasure of driving, but it was fun.

"And I never thought I could get here with so much pleasure and so much ambition, and feeling like I want more.

"So I don't know if I will get to 300, and I don't know if I can reach 300, but I will try because a friend of mine used to say that 'racing was in my blood', and I really feel that.

"It has been quite difficult in the last couple of years with everything that has been happening, but we know the tide is turning and we are going to get back to where we belong."

Barrichello was presented with a special cake by his Honda outfit on Saturday night, as team principal Ross Brawn paid tribute to the Brazilian, who he has previously worked with at Ferrari.

"Rubens is a wonderful driver, he is quick, very sensitive, very competitive and great at overtaking - we had some wonderful races where we picked the strategy on the basis that Rubens could always overtake, which is a bit rare nowadays," explained Brawn.

"We had a great, great period at Ferrari and I was sad to see him move on, but I am glad now he did move on because he is here."

And although Barrichello has been in demand by the media in Turkey, and had more friends and family present than normal, he insists it has not had an effect on his on-track performance.

"It is alright," he said. "After such a long time (in F1) I can manage it. It is nice to see the team have been preparing something special, and the car seems like one you would see on the street because it is covered in the 257 logos.

"At the end of the day for me it is a very normal weekend. I am just concentrated in what I have to do, and I thought it would not be easy in Q3, but I thought I would be in Q3. So I just have to concentrate and see if I can finish in the points."