Rosberg: I love Spa!

Nico Rosberg admits he can't wait for the F1 season to resume this weekend at Spa on a circuit he admits he is one of his favourite on the calendar.

The Belgian Grand Prix marks the end of the annual F1 summer break, with Rosberg going into the weekend keen to defend his seventh place in the championship standings.

"Spa is probably one of my two favourite circuits on the Formula One calendar, along with Suzuka in Japan," he said. "It's not only one of the most challenging tracks that we race at, but it's also great fun to drive a Formula One car there. The circuit layout has many high-speed areas so it should suit our car well.

"It's been nice to have a short break over the last few weeks and to spend time relaxing with my family and friends, but it will also be good to get back into the racing rhythm again this weekend. I know that the guys at the factory have also enjoyed the break, and that we will all be pushing hard from now until the end of the season to get the best possible results."

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn said he too was excited about getting the second half of the season underway at Spa.

"After the summer break, everyone is looking forward to the second half of the season getting underway in Belgium this weekend," he said. "Spa is one of those tracks which are universally loved by drivers and fans, and the racing is always thrilling, usually helped by a large dose of inclement weather. It's a truly classic circuit, and the fast, sweeping corners make it a great venue to watch the cars in action.

"With the two-week shutdown, there has been limited opportunity to develop the car since the last two races in Germany and Hungary, a situation which of course applies to everyone. However, we will be working hard to make the most of the weekend, and look forward to an exciting countdown to the end of the season."