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-----------------------------------------McLaren
Press Release
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Lewis
Hamilton
“Like
Monaco, Silverstone and Monza, it’s one of the historic circuits that I
grew up watching on television when I was younger – which makes it just
that bit more special for me, because it’s so easy to imagine the heroes
of the past racing here. It’s also a magnificent circuit, a place where
you can really push the limits of a Formula 1 car: driving through Eau
Rouge, Pouhon or Blanchimont is an incredible sensation – your whole
body is on the limit and you are still pushing to go faster still. I love
Spa – I don’t think it should ever leave the Formula 1 calendar.”
Heikki
Kovalainen
“I
think everyone in Formula 1 looks forward to Spa. For the drivers, the
circuit is a fantastic challenge: unlike some of the places we visit, Spa
has real character, and it’s a place where the confidence and commitment
of the driver can make a difference. The big corners mean you need to be
brave and take risks – and also mean you’ll have a big accident if you
get it wrong. I love this place, I think it’s the best circuit on the
calendar.”
Martin
Whitmarsh
Team
principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Despite
making some major improvements to MP4-24, we go to Spa knowing that the
circuit’s high-speed configuration is unlikely to play to our strengths
of our car. Having said that, our new technical package makes us confident
that we’ll be a strong contender for points as we look to improve on our
fourth position in the constructors’ championship. We’ve enjoyed a
tremendous record here, winning 10 times, and both Lewis and Heikki love
this place so I’m looking forward to another exciting race.”
Norbert
Haug,
Vice-president,
Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“Spa
has every element to make a circuit interesting, from long and demanding
corners like Pouhon and Stavelot to the tight hairpin La Source which can
be taken at a speed of only 70km/h. We have won four of the previous eight
grands prix at this demanding circuit, the one with the second highest
average speed after Monza of all grand prix circuits. The last two grands
prix at Budapest and Valencia have completely different characteristics
and according to experience at Spa there will hardly be tropical
temperatures like at the previous two races. In these two races, Vodafone
McLaren Mercedes scored 27 of 36 possible points - no other team was more
successful. After 46 races, Lewis continues to be the driver in the field
who during this period, since the beginning of the 2007 season, scored the
most points and wins and he started almost half of his Formula 1 races
from the front row. Only twice he did not finish. Heikki showed a good
upward trend with second on the grid and fourth in the race lately. Spa
will be a big challenge for everybody in the team and I don’t see us in
a position to perform there as well as in the previous two races.
Nevertheless, we approach the second grand prix which will be held within
eight days after the summer break with great impetus and very positively -
at least, our hit rate there was not so bad in the previous eight grands
prix.”
McLaren
at the Belgian Grand Prix…
10
years ago (August 29 1999)
Victory
went to David Coulthard, pole and fastest lap to Mika Hakkinen.
The pair touched at the first corner, enabling the Scot to establish a
decisive lead over the Finn that he maintained to the end. Mika finished
second – 10 seconds behind.
20
years ago (August 27 1989)
McLaren
dominates the race – Ayrton Senna dominates the race driving an
MP4/5, leading every lap from pole position. Team-mate Alain Prost
ably backs him up, setting fastest lap on his way to runner-up spot.
30
years ago (May 13 1979)
John
Watson salvages
a point for the team, starting 19th but climbing to a points
finish in sixth at the wheel of an M28B at Zolder. Watson’s team-mate Patrick
Tambay underlines the team’s poor form by failing to qualify his
M26.
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