Formula 1

Barrichello lauds 'fantastic' Spa

There has been no shortage of enthusiasm for Formula One's return to Spa-Francorchamps this coming weekend and Rubens Barrichello is as keen as anyone. Absent in 2003, the Belgian Grand Prix was reinstated for 2004 and the drivers are impatient to ...

Published: Aug 26, 2004, 11:34 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

There has been no shortage of enthusiasm for Formula One's return to Spa-Francorchamps this coming weekend and Rubens Barrichello is as keen as anyone. Absent in 2003, the Belgian Grand Prix was reinstated for 2004 and the drivers are impatient to get out on track at Spa, one of motorsport's renowned circuits.

Rubens Barrichello.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"I am looking forward to returning to Spa as it is a fantastic circuit," said Barrichello. "I hope they have just made a few modifications to some of the high speed sections in the interest of safety. Apart from that, driving there is a phenomenal sensation."

The Brazilian made it a Ferrari one-two in Hungary, where he and winner Michael Schumacher celebrated their team's sixth consecutive constructors' championship. Barrichello believes Ferrari will continue strongly at Spa but is wary of rivals.

"I am sure we can have a good weekend as our car seems to go well at every type of track," he commented. "But we will have to wait and see how the weekend develops."

"In Hungary, we had a tyre that really made the difference in our favour, but Formula 1 technology never sleeps and there are so many people fighting for second place in the Constructors' Championship, that I am sure they will be working hard to provide strong competition."

"We have to keep on working, even though the car is fantastic and seems to get better and better. Knowing what the weather can be like in this part of the world, we might even get the opportunity to see what our car is like in the wet."

"I am confident we have made progress with the whole package in this area, but we have not had the chance to find out yet this season, how we match up to the opposition. I hope we still have the advantage."

The Ferrari duo scored a one-two finish the last time F1 raced at Spa in 2002, with Schumacher leading Barrichello. This time around Rubens will be looking to claim the top step of the podium himself -- if Michael wins, the 2004 drivers' title will be the German's.

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Belgian GP: McLaren preview

Next article A lap of Spa with Sato

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Rubens Barrichello



Which modern Formula 1 driver raced for the most teams?

Formula 1

Formula 1

Which modern Formula 1 driver raced for the most teams?



How ex-F1 racer Rubens Barrichello is still winning races at 52

Formula 1

Formula 1

Emilia Romagna GP

How ex-F1 racer Rubens Barrichello is still winning races at 52



Why illustrious racing dads aren't always an advantage for F1 hopefuls

FIA F3

FIA F3

Why illustrious racing dads aren't always an advantage for F1 hopefuls

More from

Ferrari



Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy

Formula 1

Formula 1

United States GP

2 h

Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy



On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1

Formula 1

Formula 1

Brazilian GP

20 h

On this day: Fernando Alonso wins the world title, Michael Schumacher retires from F1



Employing team orders can simply be a matter of common sense

Formula 1

Employing team orders can simply be a matter of common sense

Latest news



Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Australian GP

24 min

Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’



Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win

Lamborghini Super Trofeo

LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo

World Finals - Monza 2026

26 min

Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win



Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry

WEC

WEC WEC 54 min

Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry



Jorge Martin the slowest Aprilia in Australia practice: “I'm used to riding with the Ducati here”

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Australian GP

1 h

Jorge Martin the slowest Aprilia in Australia practice: “I'm used to riding with the Ducati here”

Feature

Discover prime content



Max Verstappen’s words explained: Why Red Bull’s turnaround is so different this time

Formula 1

United States GP

By Ronald Vording

Max Verstappen’s words explained: Why Red Bull’s turnaround is so different this time



Mission control: Inside the FIA and F1's latest answer to football's VAR

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

Mission control: Inside the FIA and F1's latest answer to football's VAR



How Kimi Antonelli levelled up his character to be F1 2026's world champion-elect

Formula 1

United States GP

By Filip Cleeren

How Kimi Antonelli levelled up his character to be F1 2026's world champion-elect



Why Oscar Piastri has struggled to show his best with this year's McLaren MCL40

Formula 1

By Jake Boxall-Legge

Why Oscar Piastri has struggled to show his best with this year's McLaren MCL40

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe