Mark’s 2013 Belgian Grand Prix Preview
“The second half of the Formula One season kicks off at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend. It’s one of Mark’s favourite tracks, where he’s always gone well. He’s outqualified his team-mate seven times in nine visits; he’s started from pole position once and finished second in the race twice.
“After such a long break, it’s great to be getting back in the car at Spa,” says Mark. “It’s one of the classic tracks and it’s a real thrill to drive there because it’s very fast and you can really give the car its legs. Some of the corners, such as Eau Rouge, are absolutely spectacular because as you crest the hill on the way out you feel like a champagne cork going off. But there’s plenty to keep your attention elsewhere on the lap too.”
While it’s nothing new to hear Mark eulogising about the challenge of Spa, his emotions on the eve of his last F1 race at the track are running high.
“To drive an F1 car around here is a real privilege and it’s something that I’ll probably miss,” he says. “It’s one of the races that every driver wants to win and it would mean a lot to achieve that on my final visit. A win here would mean more than a win in somewhere like Korea, let’s put it like that!”
Mark arrives in Belgium feeling refreshed after a relaxing summer break. He started the four-week gap between races in the UK, where he went on the BBC’s Top Gear TV show (he was faster than Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel in the ‘reasonably priced car’) and he then spent some time in France with friends.
“I’m amazed at how much interest my appearance on Top Gear generated,” he says. “Twitter went mad after we’d filmed it, with everyone wanting to know how fast I’d been. But that’s the scale of the show for you. After that I knocked up some hours in the helicopter, which was good, and then spent some time in France. It was a good break, but I’m keen to get racing again.”
The weather forecast is a bit iffy for Sunday’s race, but that comes as no surprise because the Ardennes region of Belgium has a microclimate of its own. There’s also an 80 percent chance of a Safety Car in the race.
“You have to react to what’s going on around you at Spa,” says Mark. “It can be raining on one part of the circuit and not on another and the wind conditions can change quickly. It all adds to the challenge.”
5 Comments
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emily
on August 23, 2013tears dwelling… we’ll all miss the entertainment you bring to f1 mark… mention spa and I seem to have a photgraphic memory of the redbull and ferrari (2011) wheel to wheel through eau rouge…. mate you’ve had some lousy luck in the last two years or so, hope it all comes good for you in the last nine races (still a chance to double your victory tally)…. I hope you get the run you deserve and rbr gives you the opportunity to win races.. have loved watching you, go and bloody own them mate….
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Gianna
on August 23, 2013Dear Mark, I’m an 80-year-old grandmother. I live in Milan and I’m your big fan. I wish you a very good Belgian G.P. and especially a happy birthday.
Moreover, I ask you whether you meet your “tifosi” for autographs when you are in Monza for the G.P., and where?
Thank you for your answer and again best wishes for your future. -
Patty
on August 24, 2013Hope you get your wish and win the Spa race. It would be a nice birthday present for you. Good luck Mark!
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JJ
on August 24, 2013Hope you can pop the champagne cork for real on the top step & celebrate your birthday early with a win at Spa! Best of luck this weekend 0:)
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Carol
on August 24, 2013Best of luck at Spa Mark – we all know you have the talent to win if RB does not interfere. Surely they will leave you alone for at least one race this year – or won’t Seb allow it? So good to see that you beat Seb’s time on Top Gear! Proud of you mate!
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