Championship leader Mercedes heads to Spa out of reach of its rivals but with both its drivers set to resume their epic battle for the title.
A prominent member of the Formula 1 community since 1987, Mercedes technical director Paddy Lowe is always happy to return to Spa despite the fact that the German manufacturer has only won once - in 2015 -on the daunting Ardennes track.
"Spa is one of the truly great Formula One venues, with long straights, a range of high-speed corners and significant elevation change creating spectacular racing and making it tough to find the best setup," Lowe enthused.
"You need a car which is quick through the corners for good lap time - but the long Kemmel straight leaves drivers prone to overtaking if they're carrying too much drag.
"The speed they can carry through Eau Rouge is also crucial, with significant compression through this corner a notable setup consideration.
"Today, with the Hybrid systems, energy management also comes into play. Drivers must manage the lap wisely to protect against attack from behind and give themselves the best chance of making a pass themselves.
As a true 'racer' and aficionado of Spa-Francorchamps, Lowe wishes more tracks shared the Belgian venue's authenticity and qualities.
"There is so much variety and opportunity in the circuit. It's a great formula and one which new venues should look to emulate.
"What's more, thousands of enthusiastic fans from across Europe flock to this race and camp around the circuit. I have huge respect for them, as it can get very cold and wet out there. This is definitely a race which sorts the true fans from the glamour seekers!
"It's important to get a good result here, as it's a good test of all-round performance and sets you up for the rest of the season, so we'll be pushing hard."
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