Rubens Barrichello's 300th race celebrations turned sour on Sunday when the Brazilian crashed out on lap one of the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Williams driver fell victim to a flash rain shower which struck at the start, with Barrichello sliding into Fernando Alonso's Ferrari at the Bus Stop chicane.

Alonso managed to get into the pits but Barrichello enjoyed no such fortune and his race ended before it had begun.

An apologetic Barrichello told BBC television: "I touched the brakes and my car went straight into Alonso's. I'm terribly sorry to the team - we'd prepared such a nice party..."

The 38-year-old is the most experienced driver in the history of the sport.

He made his debut back in 1993 and has driven for six teams, winning 11 races.

He has also claimed 68 podium finishes, 637 points and 14 pole positions since his debut in the 1993 South African Grand Prix with Jordan.

Barrichello, now driving for Williams, was celebrating his milestone at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, where he claimed his first pole position in 1994 for Jordan.