Mercedes preview the Belgian GP

Editor

Back from the summer break, both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are looking to get back to winning ways…

Lewis Hamilton: “The summer break was a good chance to relax and to reflect on what’s been an incredible start to the year for us as a team. But personally, I can’t wait to get back in the car and back into the battle for the championship. I had some difficult weekends in the first part of the season, but then a bit of good fortune at the last race in Budapest kept me from damaging my car on the wall during that first lap, so hopefully that was a sign that my fortunes are changing at just the right time. There were so many positives to take from the opening 11 races, but both myself and the team always want more and know we are capable of more. The aim is to put the more difficult times of some of the previous weekends behind us and to recreate the best moments at every race from now on. I love driving at Spa, so there are few better places to start. I had good results there in 2008 and on my first visit to the circuit with this team last year, plus the win in 2010 of course. I haven’t won there as many times as I’d like but that win was a really special one, so I really want to add to that and that’s definitely the target this weekend.”

Nico Rosberg: “It’s good to be back after the break and to see everyone looking really refreshed and up for the fight in the remaining months of the season. The last race didn’t turn out how I had hoped after taking pole in tricky conditions the day before, but I still managed to come away with my championship lead intact and that’s a good place to be heading into the next part of the year. Although we have had a great start with plenty of good results, that race showed that the other teams are never too far away. In Formula One you just can’t afford to give away any advantage and I know that both the team and myself will be working harder than ever to keep improving and maintain our position right to the very end. On top of that, the battle with Lewis has been so close all season – and it could well stay that way right up to the final race – so every last point will be crucial in that contest too. Next up, of course, we have Belgium, which is definitely one of the most spectacular races of the year. The circuit is just unreal and it’s one I think every driver looks forward to. My record there hasn’t been as good as at some other circuits in the past, but I’m determined to change that and get the season kicked off again in style!”