Buzzin F1 – Formula One Blog

Hamilton Cutting The Chicane at Spa 2008

The teams and drivers of the Formula One series, were packing up their equipment on Sunday evening and heading for the Spa-Francorchamps circuit for this weekends Belgian Grand Prix.

Known for it’s unpredictable weather patterns, the circuit is a favourite amongst drivers with it’s fast curves and long straights.  While one part of the track can be totally dry, rain can begin to fall on another section leaving the tyre selection a nightmare.

Brawn GP driver Rubens Barrichello, crossed the line at the European Grand Prix last week, to claim his first win in five years.  Despite the rumours that Barrichello, 37,  will retire at the end of the season, the Brazilian very much wants to continue and is still aiming to win the championship.

The Brawn GP team are adamant that there will be no team orders after Barrichello’s victory, despite carrying a heavier fuel-load than his team-mate.  Jenson Button and Rubens are separated by only 18 points on the leader board with Jenson acknowledging that his team-mate will now be even keener for wins after last weekend.

Red bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel, still intends to give it his all and has vowed not to give up his chances of winning the championship.  Vettel retired from the European Grand Prix after blowing another engine, leaving him with 5 retirements this season in just 11 rounds.  However, there is still 60 points up for grabs and Vettel feels that he is still in the running.

The Toyota team are looking forward to the race this weekend, with Jarno Trulli saying;

“Spa is a fantastic track and definitely my favourite in F1.  It is a real driver’s circuit and that suits me perfectly. There is almost every type of corner, so all the way around the lap you are challenged and I love that. Every time you drive around Spa it is amazing but I have to say it was special to get pole position there a few years ago.”

Team-mate Timo Glock confirmed his love of the circuit and said;

“Along with Monaco, Spa is my favourite circuit.  To drive a Formula 1 car around it is a fantastic experience and it’s one of the best feelings you can have in this sport. It’s one of those circuits you dream about racing on when you are growing up; it’s just a very impressive track.

Even though I really enjoy the circuit, I have some frustrating memories of the place; being taken out by another driver on the warm-up lap in 2007 and being penalised last year when I did one of the best final laps of my career to get into the points. That was all down to bad luck so I am due a change!”

The BMW Sauber team are expected to be running with a medium-downforce specification at this weekends meeting, and their cars will be featuring special wings.  Nick Heidfeld is running in 13th place in the championship with his team-mate Robert Kubica, right behind in 14th place.

Lewis Hamilton claimed the win at the Belgian Grand Prix last year for the McLaren team, however, after the race the British driver was demoted to third after it was deemed that he had gained an unfair advantage after cutting the chicane as he battled with the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton and his team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, both started on the front row at Valencia and are keen to continue although Hamilton claimed that they have not got the best car at the moment.

Fernando Alonso feels that the Belgian circuit is the greatest challenge of the year and intends to push the Renault to it’s limit.  His new team-mate Romain Grosjean, won his GP2 feature race at the track last year and is eager to push to get closer to Alonso’s times.

Adrian Sutil, Force India driver, confirmed that the cars new aero package has given the team a great boost and is aiming for another top ten finish.  His team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella, has driven at the circuit many times and recalled his first time at the track for the Jordan team, where he finished second to Mika Hakkinen in 1997.

The Ferrari team have confirmed, that for the second time, Luca Badoer will be in the driving seat as a replacement for the Brazilian driver Felipe Massa.  After struggling to get to grips with the F60 at the Valencia circuit, Badoer qualified in last place and finished the weekend in 17th, while Kimi Raikkonen made it onto the podium.

Badoer was given four speeding fines in the pit lane in Friday’s practice session and incurred a drive-through penalty during the race on Sunday for crossing the white line on the pit lane exit.  The team have put last weekend down as Badoer’s learning weekend, seeing him improving the more track time he got and have given him the second drive to prove himself.

Williams driver Nico Rosberg, thinks that the Spa circuit will suit their car perfectly with it’s strong aero package for the quick corners.  His team-mate Kazuki Nakajima, was disappointed with their results in 2008 but feels that the weather made it difficult for everyone.

This weekend, rain is expected at the circuit although race day is expected to be overcast but dry.