Spa is the circuit that all the drivers talk about. The circuit which undulates its way through the Belgian Ardennes is the longest on the F1 calendar and boasts some of the most testing corners of the season. Throw in the unknown factor of the weather, and we should be in for a treat.
Mark Webber
Mark arrives in Belgium looking refreshed and wearing a smile on his face. And with good reason. The Aussie sits on top of the championship table four points clear of Lewis Hamilton. Those figures don’t lie: Mark’s team-mate has ruled qualifying this season but Webber has made experience count and converted raw pace into points to stand on the top step four times this year. “I don’t think there is a driver on the grid that doesn’t look forward to Spa, it’s an incredible circuit. I expect we can do well there; whether it’s as well as I did in Budapest is a question for everyone.” With his former team-mate David Coulthard saying both titles are Red Bull Racing’s to lose, Mark knows he has the chance of a lifetime. “I want to go for the championship. I know that it changes people’s lives, changes the person and I want to know how that feels.” One person who believes he’ll find out is Max Mosley. "He has the makings of a champion,” said the former FIA president and March team boss. "He has improved once again this year, and is in the best car. I also think the public likes his story – a man who fought for years and could now be rewarded.”
Michael Schumacher
The seven-times world champion has already ruled out an attempt on the title as he, or rather his Mercedes, is simply not competitive enough. "Let's put it this way; with a Red Bull, things would definitely be very different," he said. "Spa has always been my favourite racetrack and so, for that reason alone, I am really looking forward to going back." There are actually several reasons why Michael can feel confident. Firstly, he’s always prospered here: Spa is where it all began for him: his F1 debut was here in 1991, his first win in ’92 and he’s added five more since. And forget the car, Schumi himself is still highly competitive – as he demonstrated in Hungary. His aggressive move on Rubens Barrichello landed him with a 10-place grid penalty but the last time he was sent to the back of the class – Monaco ’06 – he came out fighting, making his way up to fifth by the end. Lapping Schumacher has become a right of passage for the younger drivers this season but expect to see the original RainMeister settling a few scores.
Lewis Hamilton
“There isn’t much between McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull,” says the 2008 world champion. “Red Bull were very quick at the last race, but I don’t see them holding that advantage at every circuit. It’s going to be an exciting fight and I’m up for it.” The consensus is that the long straights on offer at Spa might just suit the McLarens better than the more versatile Red Bulls. The Woking-based team are due a change of fortunes after a disappointing afternoon in Hungary saw Webber leapfrog Jenson Button and Hamilton in the driver’s championship. Lewis is certainly looking forward to taking on the great track: “Pouhon is the new Eau Rouge. The approach is downhill in seventh gear, at about 180mph, and you grab sixth without braking just before you turn in. You’re then trying to get back on the power as early as possible and keep your foot nailed through to the exit. It’s a great challenge.”
Rubens Barrichello
It’s race number 300 for the Williams man and it promises to be emotional. “I feel very privileged to have been in the sport for such a long time and it feels great to reach this milestone," said the 38-year-old. "I took my first pole here and have won at Spa,” he said. “I still think I am at the top of my game and plan to continue being competitive long past my 300th GP!” It’s also Rubinho’s first outing after an eventful Hungarian GP where he clashed with his former team-mate Schumacher. But his other old colleagues down at the Ferrari garage are certainly glad to see the Brazilian reach his impressive record. A "remarkable achievement" was the verdict of team boss Stefano Domenicali. "He was part of our team when it was living through a great period in its history and he made a very significant contribution to our success,” added the Italian.
© Ferrari
Fernando Alonso
When it comes to Spa, Ferrari are the dominant team, having won here for the last three years – or five in the last seven, if you prefer. Victory in Belgium has eluded the 2005 and 2006 world champion so far, not that he’s letting it bother him: "We are now on the right road. The car is much improved and so that makes me more optimistic and has seen the whole team grow in confidence.” The Ferrari looks to be gaining speed with every outing and with 20 points between Alonso and Webber, the Spaniard will need all the pace he can find to close the gap. Of course, it could still go horribly wrong if the FIA decides to punish La Scuderia further for that infringement when they meet in Paris next month. But as far as the fans go, a win would help restore the lustre to the Maranello outfit’s reputation after the controversial use of team orders to win the German Grand Prix. Ferrari have it all to play for in the Ardennes.
Sebastian Vettel
It went horribly wrong for Vettel in Hungary: after dominating all weekend, a drive-through penalty scuppered his chances of victory. But the German still finished on the podium and remains only 10 points behind Mark in the driver’s standings. The fact he is the current lap record holder, means he should have high hopes of conquering the circuit. "I love Spa," he said. "It has some of the best corner sections in Formula One. They're long, fast-flowing and suit our car. Our weakness will be the long straights and, with uphill sections too, we know it won't be easy for us, but I am optimistic." Plus he carries with him the good wishes of his neighbour and occasional badminton partner, Kimi Raikkonen. "I have hardly any contact with the other drivers, but I sometimes I play badminton with Vettel," said the Finn, who knows a thing or two about winning at Spa, and winning F1 titles. "I think he can win (the championship). But mostly he's just the nicest guy of them all," said Raikkonen.
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