Jenson Button conceded on Thursday that he never expected his Formula 1 career to last so long ahead of his 300th grand prix start in Malaysia this weekend.
Button made his F1 debut back in 2000 with Williams, making him the most experienced active driver in F1.
Former Honda and Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello holds the record for the most F1 starts at 326, while Michael Schumacher sits second in the all-time list on 306.
Button will move onto 300 this weekend in Malaysia, before finishing up on 305 at the end of the season before taking a sabbatical from F1 in 2017.
“It means I have been around for a hell of a long time,” Button said when asked about his 300th start.
“I remember when Rubens got to 300 – it was unbelievable that he’d reached 300 grands prix. I was like, ‘I’m never going to race for that long’.
“When I started in 2000 I remember speaking to my dad and he said: ‘How long do you think you’re going to race for?’ and I said: ‘I’ll be done by the time I’m 30 years old.’ And here I am at 36 and this weekend I’m starting my 300th grand prix.
“It definitely sucks you in, Formula 1. It doesn’t let go for a long time, as long as you are performing. So it’s been a great ride to 300.
“Lots of ups and downs, as every career will have, and the important thing is that you stay on top of those bad times and you enjoy the good times as much as you can, because you never know how long they are going to last.
“A very exciting career to this point, 300 races, and if any of these guys can achieve it around me, fair play to them, because it’s a long time doing the same thing.”
