After just one race in seven long weeks, Mark Webber says he simply cannot wait to race on ‘one of the greatest tracks on Earth’ at the Belgian Grand Prix today (Sunday).
Aston Clinton’s resident Aussie racer says Spa-Francorchamps is the one track that is loved by all the drivers and he can’t wait to get back in his RB9.
“It’s a great track to come back to after the summer break,” Webber said.
“None of us has been near an F1 car for four weeks and we’ve only had one race in the last seven weeks!
“Then – bam – we’re racing on one of the greatest tracks on Earth. It’s a fantastic place to get racing again.
“The drivers all love Spa. It’s one of the few places in the world where you feel the track is laughing at the cars; it’s fast, it’s pretty narrow in places and the elevation changes are huge.
“Eau Rouge is one of the most famous corners in the world, but it’s no longer the challenge it was when we had V10 engines. It was very tasty back then. It’s become a lot more comfortable in recent years, and who knows what it will be like next year with the V6 Turbos.
“This is the longest track on the calendar and it feels incredible when you’re up at Les Combes (Turn 7).
“You’re a long way from the pits and it’s taken you next to no time to get there. Then there’s the double-left at Pouhon, which is sensational to drive through.
“The weather always seems to play a role in the race and, if you’re attending the race as a spectator, don’t forget to take your wellies.
“It can get very, very wet very, very quickly.”
It’s not just the racing that Webber loves about the Belgian Grand Prix, though, it’s also the hospitality afforded to him at the hotel where he stays during the annual visit.
“I stay in a small hotel in the town of Francorchamps over the race weekend,” Webber said.
“A lovely couple runs the place.
“They cry every time we check-in and they cry again when we check-out. Spa wouldn’t be Spa without it.”
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Webber will be replaced by compatriot Daniel Riccardo at Red Bull when he leaves the sport for the World Endurance Championship at the end of the season.