Belgian GP: Mercedes preview

After the summer break, Formula One returns to action next week with Round 13 of the 2010 World Championship, the Belgian Grand Prix held at Spa-Francorchamps. Located in the forests of the Ardennes, the Spa circuit has been shortened over the years but retains much of its original character and is the longest track on the calendar at 7.004 km.

NICO ROSBERG
"It's been nice to have a short break but it will be good to start racing again next weekend. Spa is definitely up there as one of my favourite circuits and it's one of the most challenging tracks that we race on. The lap is very high-speed with some great corners, including Eau Rouge of course, and it's just a great place to drive a Formula One car. The last race in Hungary was difficult for us but I know that everyone at the factory has been working hard since the shutdown and we hope to have a better weekend in Spa."

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
"Spa has always been my favourite racetrack and so for that reason alone, I am really looking forward to going back and racing there. It has been ages since I have last been there. Our weekend will obviously be handicapped by my grid penalty and consequently it will be difficult to expect special things from the race. On the other hand, every racing kilometre is important and welcome because we can learn from it with regards to our car. I will definitely try to make the best out of the weekend."

ROSS BRAWN
"The summer shutdown has been a well-deserved opportunity for our staff to have a break in the middle of the season but we are all looking forward to the racing getting underway again with the Belgian Grand Prix next weekend. Spa is one of the classic racing circuits on the calendar which is loved by drivers, engineers and fans so it is always one of the highlights of the year. The circuit is dominated by straights at the start and end of the lap with a twisty middle section and the drivers love the fast sweeping corners, including the legendary Eau Rouge. With the shutdown, we have had limited time to work on the car since Hungary, however we will do our best to have a good weekend in Spa to kick-off the final run of seven races to the end of the season."

NORBERT HAUG
"Spa is a classic race in the Formula One season and I am sure everybody in the paddock as well as the media and the spectators worldwide are looking forward to this special Grand Prix which is run partly on narrow public roads that are used for daily traffic throughout the year. Our team will be focused on achieving respectable results for Michael and Nico."

-source: mercedes