Riccardo Patrese turns seventy. A driver who has accumulated vast experience in Formula One between exciting moments and less brilliant phases. Just as it happens in the life of each of us.
Patrese maintained the record for the number of Grands Prix contested for several years: 256 races under his belt for the driver from Padua. So he's seen a lot. Even the deaths of colleagues. Patrese fell, but he also got up. He was even tried for the accident that led to the death of Ronnie Peterson and was fully acquitted.
A tough guy. Imola in his destiny: in 1983, on the Santerno circuit, he was booed by the Ferrari fans when he went off the track while he was leading the race. Seven years later he was applauded when he won the San Marino Grand Prix on the same stage.
![Riccardo Patrese](https://www.formulacritica.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Riccardo-Patrese-e-Ayrton-Senna-750x375.webp)
In Formula 1 there are six successes and 37 podiums. After Ayrton Senna's death he had the chance to get back behind the wheel of Williams, but fear won. Common sense dictated that he decline and not accept a potentially tempting possibility.
Riccardo Patrese was born on 17 April 1954, a true pillar of Italian motor racing. Our most sincere best wishes.
Crediti foto: F1, motorsport images