22 AUGUST 2011
WE’RE BACK and ready for “2011 - Part 2” …
Photo Credit Ivan Deboom
It’s been an incredibly restful two week break for everyone at Marussia Virgin Racing, but for dedicated followers of @marussiavirgin, it’s pretty clear that you’ve been climbing the walls with frustration due to the lack of track action.
Halfway through the summer break @seraph1701 summed up the mood of the nation – several nations actually – when she declared : “I hope I can make it that long… the F1 break is hell!” she said.
But we’re back, we’ve had enough R&R and we’re ready for the second part of this gripping 2011 season (and just in case you were wondering, @seraph1701 survived her ordeal). So, where better to get started again than at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. Most of you seem to consider it one of your favourite venues, but that is hardly surprising… Spa is incredible and as @_TakMeister says, “EVERYTHING about it is special!”
“Can’t wait for Spa race, brilliant!”, said @greg_magill. So, what does Spa-Francorchamps have that makes it such a special circuit? You all agree, of course: “Eau Rouge, Eau Rouge and… Eau Rouge!” exclaimed @aringrose who, along with @ant_thomas, @Etienne_Dokkum, @lydiafaye, @crossy33, @mterrabuio, @thecaptain23 or @Bundesad1er, thinks this corner is unique. And @JLCLements explains why: “Where else in the world do you get such an elevation change on a flat out corner!?”. But there’s much more.
For @marks_hallam it’s all about “elevation, speed, danger, length, a crazy climate, a legacy…” while @lacanta also adds that “it emphasises on driver skills and confidence”. @uaberu highlights the changeable weather conditions and loves the fact that “all the rain mixes things up!” For the ever-entertaining @GrandPrixDiary, what makes Spa special is that “Hermann Tilke didn’t design it…” and adds that “God did!”, while @cubber and @F1ism draw attention to something that hasn’t happened in 18 years: that a Belgian driver will be “driving there in an F1 car!”. @thereal_JDA is ready for the challenge!
@FashionRdR has very good memories from Spa. She lived her first Grand Prix there and she explains that she enjoyed it so much that it made her cry! @Gregory_Mullins remembers seeing Schumacher hit Coulthard right in front of him. @davidclapdorp (the winner of the #JDAquiz signed cap – Congratulations!) remembers “Hakkinen passing Schumacher with Zonta in the middle (year 2000)”, while what @snobbyG likes the most from Spa are… the “foot massages!” (? Enough said).
As you have emphasised during the last two weeks, Spa-Francorchamps and Belgium isn’t all about F1. Think Belgium and what springs immediately to most of your minds is: Fries with Mayo (for @annabelf1 “it’s so wrong, it’s right!”), chocolate, waffles and truffles! But your culinary suggestions just go on and on… @MonkassaMonkey recommends “Belgian Gaufre with ice cream”, @graham99shaw prefers “mussels and chips” as well as suggesting “Raspberry beer”. But for @wimvaneen nothing beats Belgian chocolate which is “the best in the world!”. Like many of you, @emmabortnik is really looking forward to eating lots of moules, waffles and chocolate this weekend, “but not all together, of course!”
Where to go? @SaraMoreau, who describes herself as a “real ‘Brusselier”, has the answers: “You have to visit the Grand Place in the centre of Brussels, and nearby you also have the Manneke Pis. You can also enjoy some real fries at Fritland near La Bource. If you want to go for a drink I recommend Mappa Mundo and Le Roi des Belges, located near La Bource at Place St Gery.” @alainvl and @juanuy2010 both coincide in saying that the best bars and restaurants in Brussels are near Manneke Pis, and @davidclapdorp adds that eating in a traditional Brasserie Belge near the Grand Place is “something great!” @czio says you can’t forget to “drink special Brussels beer at La Becasse”, while @Das_Fletcher highly recommends “the Delirium Café, with over 2000 different beers!”, as well as visiting “the picturesque town of Malmedy.” Finally, @F1Gossip suggests a trip up the Radisson Hotel funicular railway to the actual Spa “where you can have a swim in the fizzy water.” Even though you might prefer to stay at the Radisson Spa Hotel “eating their melt-in-the-middle chocolate cake all weekend!” says @Maddie28.
So Formula One is here again, sit back and enjoy the ride! As @Ed2168 says, “with Eau Rouge and Fries, it just can’t go wrong!”
A few of you were wondering about our choice of image to accompany this week’s AskTheGPNation, so by way of an explanation…
Manneken Pis (literally Little Man Pee) is a famous Brussels landmark. It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin. It was designed by Jerome Duquesnoy and put in place in 1618 or 1619. It bears a similar cultural significance as Copenhagen's Little Mermaid.
The famous statue is located at the junction of Rue de l'Étuve/Stoofstraat and Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat. To find it, one takes the left lane next to the Brussels Town Hall from the famous Grand Place and walks a few hundred meters to arrive at the spot. The statue will be on the left corner.
The statue is dressed in costume several times each week, according to a published schedule which is posted on the railings around the fountain. His wardrobe consists of several hundred different costumes, many of which may be viewed in a permanent exhibition inside the City Museum, located in the Grand Place, immediately opposite the Town Hall. The costumes are managed by the non-profit association The Friends of Manneken-Pis, who review hundreds of designs submitted each year, and select a small number to be produced and used.
Credit: Virgin Racing (www.virginracing.com)
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