A veteran of 256 Grand Prix starts and three Le Mans 24 Hours, the likeable italian is now a true racing dad, supporting his son in the early stages of a gt racing career.

I think I've followed Riccardo Patrese since his first days of F. Italia, but not always on the race fields and I probably had a quite different idea of him from the one I have now. I perfectly remember some of his beautiful races of the '75 season, such as that one... A pursuit that he played at the end of the championship at Imola…

Thirty is a turning point in most people's lives, a time to take stock. The day after the French Grand Prix, we met a Patrese quite unlike his public image. He spoke to us kindly and with insight about his career and his hopes, not to mention a certain contract with Ferrari…

Brilliant but brittle, fast but fallible, he is fearless on the track, yet afraid of the unknown off it. He has a tendency towards superstardom matched only by his tendency to attract controversy. Those are the characteristics of the controversial young Italian, Riccardo Patrese.

Now in his 15th season of Formula 1, Riccardo Patrese is driving better than ever and taking the limelight with a seemingly permanent smile on his face. Shaun Campbell tries to find out what lies behind the Williams driver's astonishing form and why he finds life so amusing.

Credo di aver seguito Riccardo Patrese fin dalle sue prime gare di F. Italia, ma non sempre sui campi di gara e di lui probabilmente mi ero fatto una idea abbastanza diversa da quella che ho adesso. Ricordo perfettamente alcune sue gare bellissime della stagione '75, come ad esempio quella... A inseguimento che disputò a fine campionato a Imola…

Un Riccardo strepitoso rivive la sua stagione da vice iridato, iniziata con tre doppiette Williams, che lui definisce ben diverse da quelle Mercedes 2019, meno nette e secche.

An amazing Riccardo relives his season as vice world champion, which began with three Williams braces, which he defines very different from those Mercedes 2019, less clear-cut and dry.