"I have nothing much more to say about what happened in Monza, except to repeat how disappointed I was," he sighed, "To do just a handful of laps in
Ferrari's home grand prix and at such a critical stage in the championship was not a good feeling. Impossible is not a word I like to use but, in terms of the drivers' championship, if it is not impossible for me to win it, it is certainly looking very difficult indeed. However, I never give up and I will keep trying, and I don't think it will change my approach to the races that are left. Between now and the end of the year, I just want to get as many victories as possible all the way to the last race."
Honda – Jenson Button (#7), Rubens Barrichello (#8):
After an improved showing at the Italian Grand Prix, where Jenson Button finished in the points and both drivers were in the top ten, Honda naturally hopes to carry its upturn in performance through to Belgium.
"It was a boost for the whole team to see an improved performance from the RA107 over the Italian Grand Prix weekend," senior technical director Shuhei Nakamoto, "Belgium this weekend will be a tougher challenge for us as the Spa circuit requires a higher level of downforce than Monza. High-speed aerodynamic stability is the absolutely key to precise handling on this circuit and we will have a lot of work to do as the car has changed a lot since our test there back in July."
Button doubled his season's tally at Monza and is looking forward to retaking the challenge of Spa.
"It is one of my absolute favourite circuits and I am really excited that it is back on the calendar for this year," the Briton admitted, "As everyone acknowledges, Spa is a real drivers' track where your skill and commitment are tested to the absolute limit on every lap. The only other track that really compares to the challenge is probably Suzuka - it's a flowing circuit which you can really get into a rhythm around. You can overtake at the top of the hill into Les Combes, hopefully into the new chicane and you can also squeeze by at the first corner, La Source, but the biggest challenge is the double left-hander Pouhon and it is really satisfying to get that right."
Team-mate Rubens Barrichello has yet to score this year, but shares Button's enthusiasm for Spa.
"It is a well-known favourite for every driver and it is a fantastic feeling to drive around there in a
Formula One car," the Brazilian commented, "After a year away, it will be good to return and it is certainly safer since they have made the modifications to the circuit layout. It is one of the best circuits of the year, and with the unpredictable weather and the opportunities for overtaking, you always expect a good fun race.
"The test in July at Spa was not one of our best, but we have made a lot of progress on the car since then, as the weekend in Italy has shown, so I go to Spa in a positive frame of mind and hoping for a good race."
BMW Sauber – Nick Heidfeld (#9), Robert Kubica (#10):
Having tested a modern
F1 car around the old Nurburgring earlier in the year, Spa-Francorchamps' 'old world' atmosphere should suit BMW Sauber's
Nick Heidfeld, one of the few drivers not to have participated in July's group test.
"I am happy Spa is back on the calendar," he agreed, "The last time I was there was in 2004 and, in those days, I was in a car which wasn't competitive at all, so it will be different this time."
Remarkably, the German isn't that familiar with the venue, despite opportunities to race there.
"Although Spa isn't too far from my home town of Mönchengladbach, I didn't race there very often [in the junior formulae]," he explained, "The circuit wasn't on the Formula Ford and F3 calendar when I was racing, and I had to miss the 2005 Formula One race after I injured myself in a bicycle accident. However, Spa is a very beautiful circuit, with some very special parts. The combination of turns that make up Eau Rouge through the depression is world famous, and for spectators it is a must."
Team-mate Robert Kubica has greater experience of the track in its former guise, having raced there in F3 and Formula
Renault, but will be making his competitive F1 debut there this year having only graduated to the top flight in 2006.
Toyota – Ralf Schumacher (#11), Jarno Trulli (#12):
After a disappointing Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Toyota heads to the Belgian Grand Prix looking to conclude its European campaign on a high note.
