McLaren preview the Belgian GP

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN

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Saturday 30th August 2008

Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen are both expecting to mount a strong challenge for the race win at Spa on Sunday.

Lewis Hamilton
Q: What do you think of the Spa Francorchamps circuit?
LH: It's one of my all-time favourites. Even before I first came here, which was back in 2002 for a Formula Renault race, I played it on my computer - it was always one of the best tracks. It has probably the most exciting corner in Formula 1, Eau Rouge, and it's one of the few circuits where you really feel like you're actually going somewhere; you blast off into the forest and get to the top of the hill and can feel the whole circuit beneath you. It's one of the best challenges in Formula 1."

Q: Do you regret the disappearance of many of the older so-called 'driver tracks'?
LH: I don't regret it, but it's a shame. I prefer the more historic circuits like Monza, Silverstone and Monaco. You really feel the history of those places whenever you race there; they have real character. Each time they are refurbished, they lose a little more of their individuality - but they are made safer, so we can continue to race on them - so that's a good compromise."

Heikki Kovalainen
Q: What are the key areas of the track from a driver's perspective?
HK: When you talk about Spa, everybody thinks about Eau Rouge - but the bigger challenge is Pouhon; it's a sweeping, downhill left-hander and is very fast indeed. It's almost flat, but not quite, so it's quite tricky to find a balance that allows you to attack without going off. Drivers love corners like this - high speed turns that are not quite flat: that's where the real excitement lies because it's up to the driver to make the difference."

Q: What makes Spa different from other circuits?
HK Spa is a big, fast circuit and still feels a little bit dangerous. For a driver, that always gives you an added element of excitement - it's fast and narrow, almost like a street circuit between the trees. And it's long, so it's very difficult to string a good lap together. The most important thing you need here is bravery: you really need to attack the corners faster than your brain is telling you to. You've got to keep the throttle flat even if it doesn't look possible, you have to trust your instincts and just put the danger out of your mind. It's a real driver's circuit."