Lewis Hamilton was left in no doubt whatsoever about his main rival for this year’s F1 drivers’ title after team-mate Fernando Alonso sent him flying off the race-track in the opening seconds of the Belgian Grand Prix.
David Coulthard must have thought he’d forsaken Formula One for the marathon after his Red Bull died of a hydraulics problem on a most inconvenient section of the sport’s longest circuit.
The Spa circuit may have a reputation for being one of the most challenging and exciting on the F1 calendar – but it didn’t do much for Anthony Davidson this year.
Mike Conway has seen a dramatic change in his recent fortunes, leaving Spa-Francorchamps with a pair of fifth places in his pocket after GP2’s Belgian round.
McLaren may have ended up second best to rivals Ferrari off the track and in qualifying this week but neither Lewis Hamilton, nor anyone else in the team, is conceding that the Belgian Grand Prix itself will turn out the same way.
Super Aguri knew they were in for a rough time in qualifying – and so it proved, with Anthony Davidson starting on the back row for the first time since his Spa appearance for Minardi in 2002.
A terse David Coulthard will be relying on his years of race experience after failing to make the most of his Red Bull’s potential in qualifying at Spa.