Jenson Button is hoping his bad luck in Belgium does not come in threes. Following his triumph last time out in Hungary to rejoice his 200th grand prix in Formula One, it is a buoyant, rejuvenated Button that heads to Spa next weekend subsequent the summer break.
However, it is a circuit that has not been kind to him over the last two years as he has crashed out on both juncture, neither of which were his fault. In his title-winning year of 2009, Button's race lasted 40 seconds after being hit from at the back by Romain Grosjean, then with Renault, spinning the Briton into the gravel and a barrier at Les Combes.
Last year the 31-year-old at least reached lap 17, only to be hit by Sebastian Vettel as the German lost control of his Red Bull in attempting a pass, spearing the radiator of Button's McLaren.
I love racing at Spa, but unluckily haven't done too much of it lately, said Button.I've been taken out of the last two Belgian Grand Prix through no fault of my own. This year, I'll be hoping for a little more luck.Approaching the final eight races of the group, McLaren head into them as the form team after winning three of the last five.
Hamilton, in particular, is eager to get back in his car at a track he hails as one of the greatest circuit in the world and take the fight to the German.I think we go into the race weekend in a pretty good place,said Hamilton.We've won the last two grand’s prix and the car feels strong. We've worked hard to get better the set-up.
So it's really inspiring confidence at the moment, which means you, can push it that little bit further, mainly in qualifying.Team principal Martin Whitmarsh is obviously eager to uphold the winning habit, and at least push Vettel and Red Bull to the wire if at all likely.This final stretch of European races (Belgium and Italy) will break the back of the calendar,said Whitmarsh.