HRT are predicting a strong performance (by their standards at least) at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend, optimistic that the high-speed nature of the circuit will suit the F111.
“Spa Francorchamps is every driver’s favourite circuit, because of its high-speed nature and the challenge it represents,” says Vitantonio Liuzzi. “Our car should be better suited to tracks like this, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's a bit of an anniversary because on August 28, 2004 I finished the Formula 3000 race on the second step of the podium having started from pole. For me, Spa is the nicest track of all!”
Daniel Ricciardo also believes that his adopted team should go well at Spa, a circuit the young Australian has celebrated previous successes. “Among several memories from my 55 career podiums, I started from pole and won one of the last Formula 3 British races in Spa in 2009, so it’s a circuit that I know,” he said. “In the small formula cars it gets boring because you run out of power on all those long straights, but I’m really looking forward to driving a Formula One car there. The weather is always a question mark. I love the middle sector and its great flow. It’s one of the best circuits and should suit us well”.
HRT boss Colin Kolles is aware of the challenges that the circuit presents his engineers, but is confident that the Spanish team will perform well this weekend.
“The car set-up must reflect the need to perform with complete stability in the very fast and medium-speed corners, while also having the mechanical traction to deal with the Bus Stop chicane and La Source,” he explains. “The weather is often hard to predict but we should be well prepared for a strong performance”
