FOCUSING ON THE CRUCIAL BELGIAN GRAND PRIX

At 7km long, Spa is the longest circuit on the calendar, by well over a kilometre, and there is quality in its layout as well as quantity in its length. This is a high speed circuit, but in contrast to most high speed tracks, this is one where high downforce is required from the cars.

A tight turn one leads into the downhill approach to the world-famous Eau Rouge and Raidillon corner combination and this is the beginning of a 19 corner challenge that seemingly never lets up until the penultimate turn, the fearsome Blanchimont and then the final chicane. Speeds regularly approach or exceed 300kph, whilst the slowest speeds on a lap are seen in the first turn, which F1 cars tackle at just over 60kph.

Reigning champion Kimi Raikkonen (left) has been awaiting the Belgian Grand Prix all season long and can't wait to tackle Spa this weekend, where he usually does well.

The Finn understands his situation in the championship and will be pushing to the limits for positive results at his favorite circuit on the calendar.

Team mate Felipe Massa (right) is on an all-time high after his recent success at the European Grand Prix.

The Brazilian is the most consistent driver of the twenty on the grid, even among the championship contenders. Ferrari looks very consistent in the manufacturers' standings as well.

Lewis Hamilton (left) fancies the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa as one of his all-time favorite tracks.

"Even before I first came here, which was back in 2002 for a Formula Renault race, I played it on my computer - it was always one of the best tracks."

"It has probably the most exciting corner in Formula 1, Eau Rouge, and it’s one of the few circuits where you really feel like you’re actually going somewhere; you blast off into the forest and get to the top of the hill and can feel the whole circuit beneath you. It’s one of the best challenges in Formula 1."

On the weekend ahead, the Brit intends to maintain the lead in the championship with a strong resolute. He knows the Ferraris will be breathing down his neck throughout the weekend, but he is silently confident with the entire team behind him all the way till the end of the season.

BMW Sauber F1 Team has dwindled a little into the second half of the season, but the team has intentions to at least finish second overall in the Constructors' championship.

Both drivers Robert Kubica (right) and Nick Heidfeld lie fourth and sixth in the drivers' standings with Kubica having a potential to grab third overall by the end of the season.

The Polish driver is upbeat about the weekend's race, “From my point of view the race in Spa is one of the best Grands Prix in the calendar. The circuit is very long and very tricky. You have to find the right balance and the right configuration of the car in order not to lose any lap time. Another crucial factor is the weather in Belgium. It can rain in one sector and it can be dry in another sector. I am really looking forward to the race.”

Fernando Alonso (left) had a forgettable race last time out at the European Grand Prix. He disappointingly expressed, "I knew that my weekend would be difficult after qualifying - starting so far down the field on a street circuit is never where you want to be."

"I was hit on the first lap and lost my rear wing. My mechanics did everything to try and get me back out, but my race was already compromised."

"I’m disappointed not to have been able to drive in front of my supporters as I wanted to give them a special race."

The Spaniard has already put that race behind him and is now focusing on the Belgian Grand Prix. "Even though the European Grand Prix turned out to be a race to forget, we should not lower our aims. I am sure that the team is giving 100% to achieve our objective and I will also give my maximum to try and get a strong result and score some points. At the beginning of the season things were not easy, but we have improved and we are determined to continue in this direction."

Toyota has added minor aerodynamic updates on the TF108s to cope with the demands of the weekend's race at Spa.

The team arrives in Belgium with a 10-point cushion in fourth place in the constructors' following consecutive double-points finishes and the aim this weekend is to strengthen that position while challenging for the podium.

Last week's successful test at Monza saw the drivers put the new aero updates to good use, in addition, the team also focused on developments for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix.

AT&T Williams' Nico Rosberg (left) has good memories at Spa, especially at the previous season's race where the young German finished sixth, which was one of his best results of the season.

He understands the team's position and the homestretch towards the last five races of the season.

Rosberg noted, "The important thing for the team at the moment is that we’ve identified where improvements can be made with the FW30 and are making the necessary adjustments to take us into the final few races."

After a very strong first half of the season, the Red Bull Racing team has endured a frustrating past few weeks, with no points scored in the last four races.

It is extremely important that the team reverse this trend and get back on terms with Renault and close the gap to Toyota. The next few circuits, in particular Spa, should play to the strengths of the RB4 package.

Toro Rosso is already turning its thoughts to its 2009 driver line-up. As part of that process, the team will be putting Sebastien Buemi and Takuma Sato behind the wheel of an STR3, for a day each at the Jerez test following the Italian Grand Prix.

For the Belgian race, the regulars; Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Bourdais (left) look to steal a point or two to add to their current championship causes.

Both of the Honda Racing F1 Team drivers have finished on the podium at Spa-Francorchamps before, most recently in 2005 when Jenson Button (right in picture) finished third in a rain-interrupted race.

It was at this track in 1994 that Rubens Barrichello scored his first pole position in F1.