McLaren driver aiming for better Belgian GP result than 2009 and last year
Last Updated: August 19, 2011 4:09pm
Button: crashed out of the last two Belgian GPs
Jenson Button is hoping for better luck at next weekend's Belgian Grand Prix than that he experienced on his last two visits to Spa-Francorchamps.
The McLaren driver will return from Formula One's summer break in buoyant mood after his victory in Hungary at the end of last month. However, Spa has not been kind to him in the last two years as he has crashed out on both occasions.
It must be said, though, that neither exit was Button's fault. In his title-winning year of 2009, he was spun into retirement at Les Combes on the opening lap after being hit from behind by Romain Grosjean, then with Renault.
Last year, Button 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 on the run towards the Bus Stop chicane, spearing the radiator of Button's car.
"I love racing at Spa, but unfortunately haven't done too much of it recently," said Button.
"I've been taken out of the last two Belgian Grands 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 campaign, McLaren head into them as the form team after winning three of the last five.
However, Button and team-mate Lewis Hamilton find themselves 100 and 88 points adrift of Vettel respectively.
Pretty good place
Hamilton, in particular, is keen to get back in his car at a track he hails as "one of the greatest circuits 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 grands prix and the car feels strong. We've worked hard to improve the set-up.
"So it's really inspiring confidence at the moment, which means you can push it that little bit further, particularly in qualifying."
Meanwhile, team principal Martin Whitmarsh is eager to maintain the winning habit and push Vettel and Red Bull as far as they possibly can.
"This final stretch of European races (Belgium and Italy) will break the back of the calendar," said Whitmarsh.
"So it's important we hit them aggressively and confidently before pushing on into the final flyaways.
"The whole team has returned to work feeling refreshed, relaxed and recharged, and I'm confident we'll see the benefit of that at the racetrack.
Hungry
"Our engineers and strategists are hungry to get back to business, and our mechanics are fit and ready to continue the excellent progress they have been making all season with fast and reliable work in the garage and the pitlane.
"Despite winning three of the last five grands prix, we are still hugely determined to be stronger than before.
"Time and time again, we have proved our resilience and determination, particularly at this crucial stage of the world championship.
"We are more than ready for this fight and relishing every race."
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
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