Riccardo Patrese is an Italian Formula One racer, born 17 April 1954 in Padua, Italy. At the time of his retirement, Patrese held the record number of Grand Prix starts, 256 (still standing as of 2003), from which he earned 6 Grand Prix victories.

Patrese made his debut in 1977 with the Shadow team. The following year, he moved to Arrows . That same year, he was - incorrectly - also accused of causing the fatal accident of Ronnie Peterson. A switch to Brabham was rewarded by his first victory at Monaco in 1982. A further win in South Africa followed in 1983, but Patrese had to wait 7 more years before his next win, at the San Marino Grand Prix 1990. In the two seasons that followed Patrese won 3 more Grand Prix, with the then dominant Williams team. In1993 he switched to the Benetton, retiring from Grand Prix at the end of the season. His other teams were Alfa Romeo (1984 to 1985), Brabham again from 1986 to 1987 and Williams (1988 to 1992).