The Belgian Grand Prix Formula 1

Well! This is fabulous stuff! What a start to the season! Fantastic!

What entertainment! We have a race on our hands.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 53 seconds

race back, you promised he would sort out the accommodation, and

there is no sign of it. You said it would be here before sundown.

Choke! I said at Silverstone that we would have a nice walk to the

circuit, and we did, or on the wing of a plane. Exactly! This time, I

am going to go one better. I will get your transport and

Impressive! This is bigger than my house! All aboard, boys! I want a

seat at the back of the bus! I like your skills. I came here in the

mid-70s in Formula Three, it was a motor home in a different guise.

was a transit van! I was so passionate, I did not care. I know

ludicrous! This track is a legend on the Grand Prix calendar. Racing

fans come here in their droves, not corporate people, not big sponsors.

Anything can happen here. Jordan my son! I'll be lost?! You are

always told me you know this place like the back of your hand. We are

back at the bar! We are governed the scenic route! We have made it!

What is your greatest moment here? 1998, first and second, Damon Hill,

Michael Schumacher. Eddie Jordan, at last, after all of his efforts!

It is easy. David Coulthard wins! My all-time high. Goodnight. Good

night. Goodnight. It could night. Good night. Good night. Could you

What is going on?! It is a racing to the action!

The action does not come faster or more breathtaking or more the sort

of around this place. Spa- Francorchamps for the 20 top Grand

Prix. Next time you sort out the accommodation, something with three

bedrooms! I did the best that I could. I think we should give this

a way! You could look very good in a tie get fed! Enjoy that! It was a

bit of fun, but there is a serious point, that is how it used to be,

with you watching this race. This is a proper racetrack. This is not

a place for the major corporates, this is where the fans finish their

summer holidays. They come here in their droves, they make this a

special... It is a shrine, almost. It is these guys that make the

atmosphere. Everywhere we went, we were hounded, but in a nice way,

everybody wanted to be part of the action, they like the BBC, they

like us getting a mugs the people, and they made sure we knew that we

were appreciated. If we take a look at the calendar, the important

thing is that this was one of only four seconds left that was around

when the racing first started in 1950. You can feel the romanticism,

you could almost hear the echoes of the old engines. Picking up on what

we were seeing, we saw a lot of Union Jacks, but because of its

location, we have a lot of Germans, Dutch, Belgians, obviously, and the

BBC, and a lot of them are watching the BBC feed. They are multilingual.

Of course! It is a lovely place today. This is the way that 2012

shapes up. The other three races from 1950, do you know the others?

I thought you might talk to me. Monza, the British Grand Prix, Spa-

Francorchamps, and... Monaco! Of course! 62 years ago, for the first

time, Formula One drivers turned up here, and all of these years later,

they are still to win that. turning appear? Was there an

element of nerves? I grew up watching on the TV, I raced here in

1990, I sat at Eau Rouge in 1991, I watched Ayrton Senna and Nigel

Mansell, I had the fourth and experience, and then I would hear.

It is an awesome experience. It is a roller-coaster ride, the average

speed is 220 kilometres an hour, so it is when a racing car comes alive.

Michael Schumacher arrives for his 300 or two Grand Prix. His first

was here for you in 1991. Did you honestly realise the talent that

you had that weekend? We tested for the first time in Silverstone on

the Tuesday, he was remarkable, there was only one other driver who

could fill the kind of excitement that he failed, and that was Ayrton

Senna. These are brilliant people. He goes down as the greatest

ambassador, seven times the world champion, you cannot not admire

what he has done. The team have created a special front wing it,

you did almost two Hu Jia and 50, how much of an achievement is this

-- you did almost 250? The only person who did more is Rubens

Barrichello, and if he carries on next year, he would beat him. He

would have every record in 4 min one. It is quite a special thing. I

am sure that front wing will end up hanging in his living room. They

have got a normal one for the race, that was just for him. The bad news

for him, they have to change his engine earlier, and when they

started the car, his KERS unit packed up. This is the work going

on. They are hoping to repair it, so he can make his way out. For

Michael, bases and to forget so far, but for you, a season to remember.

The season opened in Australia, and it was Jenson Button that took the

first victory and the early lead in the championship. That was

fantastic, a great race. As the weather changed, so did the picture

in the championship. Sergio Perez was stunning in second in Malaysia,

but Fernando Alonso took the victory. You have got to love this,

it is only the second Grand Prix! Nico Rosberg took his first ever

victory in China. The first victory for Mercedes since 1955!

Consistency was elusive, and Lewis Hamilton led the points, despite

failing to win a Grand Prix this year. We headed to the deserts of

Bahrain, and despite two previous winners fighting it out, Sebastian

Vettel became the fourth winner this season. It is the first Red

Bull winner of 2012, and the first podium for the Lotus in a long time.

Formula One headed back into Europe, and Barcelona was the scene of the

shock result so far. Pastor Maldonado wins in Spain, the first

and a Venezuelan to do that, the fifth driver to do with this year,

what a start! After his glory in Spain, he failed to impress in

Monaco, in a race that belonged to Mark Webber. He becomes the sixth

different winner in 2012. Monaco victories, two impressive

celebrations. Every phrase had seen a different winner, and the trend

continued in Canada, as Lewis Hamilton past Fernando Alonso.

Lewis Hamilton becomes the seventh different winner of 2012 off.

reclaimed his lead in the championship. Sergio Perez proved

his podium in Malaysia was not just a one-off, third place. In Valencia,

Sebastian Vettel had a commanding lead. But a mechanical error cost

him the race. Pastor Maldonado grinned Lewis Hamilton's Chancellor.

That meant Fernando Alonso took an emotional victory and became the

first repeat winner of the year. Silverstone saw him continue to run

at the front, but ultimately, he could not fend off Mark Webber. The

Australian got his second win of the season, but this marked a low

point for McLaren, and in the eighth place and tenth place. In

Hockenheim, Fernando Alonso Bostel the man to beat. Jenson Button good

fight at the front with Sebastian Vettel. All four wheels off.

Sebastian Vettel was the motive for the past. Fernando Alonso took the

victory. Lewis Hamilton accused the upgrades in Hungary to fend off

Kimi Raikkonen. Fernando Alonso has a commanding lead as we headed into

the mid-season break. I am sure you are delighted the

mid-season break is over. It has been exciting so far. We have nine

his 4-point gap. But Red Bull will be aware that those 246 points can

be gobbled up. Lewis Hamilton has got his sunglasses on, he is a

rock'n'roll star! Ross Brawn has said he thinks it has been too

unpredictable this season. Can you relate to that? It can never be too

unpredictable. The re-emergence of Williams into the winner's circle

cap it all, it was fascinating, because nobody expected that so

quickly after the season they had last year. That was capitalised

upon by Sauber. What they are to win, it is amazing. They are right

in the mix, against the big teams. A lot of people are hoping they can

spring a big surprise. regulations have been stable, the

double diffuses have gone out, people are understanding the tyres,

so the Grid has become a lot closer. 1% covers the top 10, a small

amount. You would want that. But in terms of pace, and depending on the

racetrack, different cars are ushering form. Sauber in qualifying

have taken a step forward this weekend. Come with me, let's walk

to Jenson Button's garage. It is lovely here with the sun out. You

might not even be aware, but since he arrived at McLaren, it has not

picked up a pole position. His last one was in 2009, in Monaco.

Yesterday, could he write a few wrongs?

Jenson Button took his first pole position in Formula One in some 60

Grand Prix races, his first since joining McLaren. He did it in style,

the fastest time in each of these sessions, to earn his first top-

three start since ran to in Malaysia. Sauber had one of their

best ever sessions, Kamui Kobayashi on the front row for the first time.

Sergio Perez will start in fourth sixth. Webber has a five-place

penalty due to an unscheduled gearbox change. Of the other

leading contenders, Raikkonen is best placed in third. His last win

in Formula One came at Spa. That face at the front. Jenson Button,

for the first time in a long time, walks into the garage in pole

position. What a dominant weekend for him so far. We spoke to Martin

Whitmarsh before qualifying and they didn't expect they have that

kind of pace. When he is comfortable with the car, he takes

it forward. He was Supreme in qualifying. The team didn't know

that was his first pole position for them. Very emotional day for

him. There's only one bit of bad news on pole position and that is

that you have 23 cars behind you. Eddie is chatting to a couple of

guys who will be chasing Jenson. I am joined by a couple of heroes of

the hour. First time on the front row. Talk us through how your

heartbeat will be. Something very exciting. I always wanted it, but

of course in Spa it is something very special. This was a team job

and the team had a really Gate -- built a really great car. I'm very

happy. Finally we've made it. Having nobody in the front is

something special, but at the moment I have no idea what I will

do. Sergio, your best-ever qualifying, you must be eyeing up

your team-mate. Have you thought about how the team should be formed

and not getting each other's way? We always have respect for each

other. We are in a great position for the team and we want to race

for our team, try to maximise the result. We have very little data of

what to expect from the race today. We have raised in high fuel with

these conditions. The most important thing for the team is to

maximise the potential. If we have the pace to win, we should take the

win or finish as high as we can. want to presuppose something. You

are running first and second, you're on the last lap and you're

going up the hill from Eau Rouge, who gives way? It will depend who

has the position. We will fight hard, but we will have respect for

the team. At the end of the day, it is important for the team to get

the wind if possible. Her that says it all, fantastic day yesterday,

let's hope it continues. Come graduation situ Sauber, but

that they belong to Button. -- congratulations to Sauber. Either

side of Button, some very large wing mirrors and he might need them

today. Plenty of people will be coming. You were in your twenties

for your last pole position, correct? I was, actually! A little

while ago. It means a lot to do it around Spa. It was impressive, the

way you did it. You had been fast rule qualifying from Q1. Year, the

first running Q1 -- Q1, I had a bit of understeer. From the word go,

and the car felt reasonably good. Braking into the first turn, a lock

up front write a little bit, which didn't cost me any time. Now the

run down to Eau Rouge, which is seventh gear. Pretty easy if you

position the car right. It looks amazing on-camera. An amazing

experience and it is quicker than it looks on TV. Up the straight,

seventh gear. I hit the limit or a little bit early and it is third

gear for the first day pigs, third gear again, and then you go up

through the gears down the hill. A little bit of oversteer on the exit,

but not too bad. Front right lock- up on the bumps, but positioned

nicely for the apex and in good traction. Third gear and the left-

hander. Downhill into Pouhon, fifth gear for me. Then you're using DRS

through here, which is quite a tight corner. Up to fourth gear for

the left-hander, trying to catch the apex and run as wide as you can.

You're always used as much of the circuit as you can, use the kerb.

Smooth as you can through here. If you get over steered through there,

you lose a lot of time from Blanchmont. There wasn't too bad.

Flat on the DRS here through Blanchmont. Always scary because

you have such low downforce when you use DRS that the corners are

scary. Down to first gear for the hairpin. It was all about traction

and getting a good exit for the end of the lap. It felt like a good lap.

For me the Q2 lap was a better lap. I had better balance, but all in

all, a great qualifying session and consistency through the sessions as

well, which was really important. What a great pole position. The

cars are making their way out of the garages. Less than half an hour

until the start of this race. As Button will explain, you get no

points for being on pole position. His problems this season have been

about tyres. He has struggled to look after them and that is because

Pirelli wasn't working so hard to spice up the racing. We had unique

every year. They are looking for more performance, they are looking

for less decoration, more assistance and they are obviously

looking for different compounds, different working Rangers. So many

things to develop in Formula One. Programme for today, looking at new

compounds in the morning. You then go into a new construction in the

afternoon. Total runs for the day is 19, 117 laps. Not too bad.

Plenty of work to do. You see every race, teams trying one stock, two

stops. They misunderstand the compound, the track temperature. It

is not an easy job. I think they struggle to maximise the potential

of their car, to maximise the efficiency of the tyre. This camera

monitors the front and rear tyres and the information tells us how

the tyres are operating. We have these sensors on the front tyres.

That gives us a temperature range during every single part of the

still very, very important, especially on a tyre test like that.

The feeling of the driver is what is most important. He my job is to

drive the car quickly, but consistently. To provide reliable

up a form giving information about the tyres, how are they at high

speed, low-speed, medium speed, how you feel they are working depended

on that compound of a construction. Consistency, a good warm-up.

Especially at the front. We went faster. Like most things in Formula

One, the testing of tyres is conducted in secrecy. In a season

where understanding tyre performance has become more

important than ever, Pirelli must treat all the teams equally so

despite having provided the car for the test, the Lotus Renault team

and not given any details about the tyres that will be used. The only

thing they know is that the tyres are black and round. They don't

know the price fault, the construction or even the compound.

We are the anyone's that know that. Probably they will have something

they all end up. Fantastic in sight. Pirelli are keeping Formula One

guessing. The cars are making their way out of the grid. Michael

Schumacher moments ago left his garage to start his 300th Grand

Prix weekend and before he got there, Ali Mackenzie caught up with

him. The sun is shining, you're at one of your favourite circuits and

you're about to start your 300th Grand Prix, does it feel special?

It is a beautiful day. A little bit unfortunate because in our

situation we would love to have mixed conditions. What is it about

Spa that is so special? He described it as your living room.

It is the nature of corners, the layout, the flow of the high-speed

content, the up and down, for history. A mixture of speciality

and good reason to love that track. You've had a few unfortunate BNFs

this season, but a few highs as well. He is the hunger and love for

Formula One as high as ever? enjoying it. Have a great race.

Thank you. Pastor Maldonado is making his way past us. Interesting

for Michael Schumacher when asked if he does still loving Formula One.

Before we care Monet, Eddie sat down with Bernie Ecclestone and

this is what he said about Bernie Ecclestone Bosc -- Michael

Schumacher's future. I'm sorry that he is leaving us not being a winner.

He is a winner. You obviously know something we don't know, it is he

about to announce his retirement? don't know. I don't. He says I

don't know. His sudden -- he was not speaking like a man who didn't

know. That seemed quite a confident quote. He believes Michael is off.

In a wasn't definite, but it was a clear indication. I've never seen a

clearer indication of my life. I would say he knows something about

Michael is leaving at the end of the season. What would you expect

Michael to do? He has retired from six out of 11 races this year. He

hasn't had the luck. You make your own luck. He has made a lot of luck

in his earlier days and at the moment, he just can't grasp of the

former glory. It is concerning not just to him, but to his team, and

us also. It is no pleasure to see what is going on at the moment. If

he decides to go, he will leave with an unbelievable legacy. What

would that legacy be? Seven times world champion. The best ambassador

we've ever had. The best ambassador? The best ambassador.

He's been here for 21 years. He has ever done that before? Who has ever

won seven world titles? The guy is a legend. You can never take what

he has it -- he has achieved. That achievement has to be regarded, he

is super. What about the car itself? He says the best he can do

at the moment is just about making it through to the final part of

qualifying. The car doesn't seem to have a lot of pace. You have to

look at both drivers and when you look at where Nico Rosberg is, and

he is certainly no slouch, Michael can only do the best he can. The

car is not good enough for up what is going on here? Richard Branson

working up what seemed he would like to buy next. Let's talk about

Lewis Hamilton. Something strange is going on around Spa where

people's tweets keep getting deleted. Mainly Lewis's. Where is

his head this weekend? If it is true that the trace of his laps

yesterday when Tel... It is disturbing because if I was the

team boss, I would be crazy with him. These are private matters that

the teams have to discuss happy with the set-up of his car.

He has a different real wind from Lewis Hamilton -- from Jenson

Button. This man knows what it takes to win around here, David

Coulthard. You are looking calm. A last minute

conversation, everything feel OK? Yes, as you know, it is never the

perfect balance, but it feels all right, everything is fine, there

are no issues. I will focus on the first corner. I was going to ask

about strategy, but I have been following your team mate on Twitter,

so I do not have to! I will have to try something different now!

thing I did spot, it looks like this is a drag strip off the pole

position, a lot of extra rubber. hope it is rubber, not oil! Indeed!

A great pole position yesterday, a great way to celebrate 50 races

with McLaren. I do not know if you did Pickup, look at the amount of

rubber from pole position. A short run to the first corner. It is 250

metres down to La Source. I think Usain Bolt might have a run at that,

he would do it in about would be five seconds. If you would care to

join me, I will see if we can grab a word with the other store of

qualifying, Kamui Kobayashi. I would expect him to be pretty busy

on his front row. Where would I find him? Is he around? He is just

coming out? A quick word, you are responsible for the health and

fitness of the drivers, have you had a special talk with Kamui

Kobayashi? I will tell you afterwards! Let's hang in there, we

will get a word with Kamui Kobayashi. He is popular right now.

I know you are covering your Faulds, but a great qualifying yesterday,

or you feeling calm? It is good to start from second place. It is the

first time in a former No 1. One will try to be quiet and get as

much as we can. If we do a get a job, we could get on the podium or

when. Most importantly, we need to do our best. You say you are

relaxed about winning your first Grand Prix! It might be amazing,

but I want to get excited after the race, not now! Wise words! I am

just come in to grab a word with Gary Anderson. One thing that is

different ahead of Jenson Button and Kamui Kobayashi, because of the

wet weather, you have raised a point that they have not had a

chance to get their start sorted out. Because the pit lane is very

narrow, the FIA did not allow you to do so -- to do practise starts,

but they will allow you to do some on the way out of the pit lane. It

is quite tricky, because it is a pill, if you get too much slippage,

it ends up overheating. That is what Michael Schumacher had in 1991.

Who do you think that favours? The who will suffer the most?

biggest team will always be the best, because they will have some

things that are ready. The smaller teams are not quite so organised.

Sauber might struggle a bit. There is the front of the Sauber of Kamui

Kobayashi. How relaxed is he! His best ever qualifying, he is not

fazed at all. I was extremely nervous when I had my first poor

position. Another thing to point out, this great his appeal to La

Source. When the drivers are hot on the grid, they have to hold the

brake on, and that affects the whole preparation. Bernie

Ecclestone having a word with the FIH to words. He was recently

married, Bernie Ecclestone, perhaps we should congratulate him, but now

might not be the appropriate time. Lewis Hamilton, you will have seen

his tweets that have been going on. As soon as they have been put up,

they have been removed. Paul di Resta, we will see if he is around,

because that was a pretty good qualifying for Force India. We hear

he is in his garage. Can you give us a few of the cockpit? He is a

tall driver, he has to squeeze in. The seat is cut away in that emir,

that is the chassis that is exposed. These cars are fitted to every part

of his body. You can see the controls on there. We do not want

to get in the way of the mechanic! Can you get the camera down at the

driver height? You can see the view he will have. The Grid golden not

be there! -- Grid girl! His focus will be on the lights up. Red Bull

are out of position, they are not used to be this far down. It seemed,

looking at your speed, you lose the speed into the Fifth corner. Have

you said the car up for this? are better with the wind closed. If

you have got it open, it can be quoted Celtic, so be a rock -- it

can be quite a penalty, so hopefully we will be more

competitive. A bit surprised for the people at home, the cars were

struggling. Have you looked at any of the analysis or tracking to see

where Jenson Button made the big jumper? We had a look at Lewis

Hamilton's tweet, that showed their laps. But no, we had good pace

yesterday morning, we struggled in the afternoon, and we do not

understand why. It will be important for us to make progress

in the early laps. Give us a good race, we would love to see that. We

can see the Ardennes forest behind us, that is where Eau Rouge is.

Eau Rouge is right behind us there. As much as we were talking about

the drivers at the front, it was good to hear from Christian Horner,

because Red Bull will feel they are out of position. In qualifying, we

do not see the best of Red Bull. But in the race, as it unfolds,

they are absolutely there, like tigers, chasing down the leader. I

expect the same sort of thing this weekend. What awaits them? We have

been taking a look. Now, motor racing. What makes Spa-

Francorchamps so special? The weather. And its unpredictability.

When it rains, it comes down absolutely in buckets. It is hugely

demanding at the corners, and it is dangerous. Into the wall! A track

of the old school, much revered by the drivers and the fans alike.

Grand Prix track is the fastest in the world. A track where all the

greats of the sport have been victorious. Michael Schumacher

wins! I might be biased, but no track has been kinder to me.

unbelievable win! Most importantly, probably the best chips in the

world! We shall be indulging again this

evening, having done that for the past three days. My favourite

statistic, 14% off the lap is on the brakes, that is how fast it is.

You have got everything, there are lots of statistics. It has

everything for the modern driver and the or the driver, they have

got a love affair with this place. It is very special. It has so many

ranges, corners, hatpins, fast corners, undulating up-and-down, it

is a roller-coaster from start to finish, the drivers fancied this

place. Let's ride the roller- coaster, because Jenson Button

showed us how you drive around this place. The question is, how fast

can you be? He was in first place, and this is how he compares to

Lewis Hamilton. Lewis Hamilton is not entirely

settled at the start. You position the car for the best braking into

La Source. Lewis Hamilton runs wide. Even by the time they are in fourth

gear, he is 1.5 lengths behind. On the run down to Eau Rouge, flat-out,

180 mph. The gradual rise along the Kemmel Straight, 200 miles per hour,

by the time they hit the brakes. Listen to them buzzing into the

limiter, with the DRS Open. A slight hesitation, a lot of

understeer for Jenson Button. A small lock-up for Jenson Button,

but he gets back for his apex, and he is on the power early. Under the

bridge, you can see that Jenson Button has opened the gap, three

carp lakes. This is the area where, with less downforce, you would

expect Jenson Button to struggle, but with Lewis Hamilton unhappy

with the balance, you can see a small correction of oversteer from

Lewis Hamilton. He manages to get back online, but the gap again is

open further, for car lengths. -- four collects. 180 mph, DRS Open.

One of the fastest sections of the track, the run to Blanchmont. They

approach at just under 200 miles per hour, the DRS is open. This is

brave from both drivers. The last big decision, the braking into the

chicane. Jenson Button, committed early. He is tidy on the exit. At

the end of the lap, Jenson Button is 0.8 seconds faster. A great way

to celebrate his 50th Grand Prix for McLaren.

It has been an amazing weekend so far, it is only Delyn to get better.

The race is just moments away. You can press the red button or go to

the BBC Sport website for the driver Tracker. This is a great

place to ride on board. There is also the pit lane feed, and you

will hear team radioed for the duration of the Grand Prix. You can

keep across all of this via your mobile and the BBC Sport website.

If you miss a trick, you can check out the iPlayer. We are getting

close to the start of the race, we have spoken a lot about the men at

the front, but what about Paul di Resta? He will be looking for

something special. There are a couple of things, it is at the

crucial time to get noticed for next year. He could either continue

with Force India or look... He is widely thought about at Mercedes.

It depends on what Michael Schumacher does. Pastor Maldonado

qualified in third place, but he got demoted three places. He will

be frustrated, another penalty. Williams are furious with this,

they think it was not deserved. You are cutting this fine, so we

will do this walking. You are starting in sixth place after the

penalty, how did you feel? A bit disappointed for the penalty, but

it is not the end. There is still a race to do, 44 laps. I am looking

forward to it. No points since Spain for Pastor

Maldonado. Daniel Ricciardo getting strapped in. Toro Rosso having

their worst season. I am surprised, I have huge expectation for B-team.

I like the way they have run in the past. But they made a big change,

they sacked both drivers last season, and I cannot understand why.

Romain Grosjean sitting inside his Lotus. There is Pastor Maldonado.

One word, give us a winner. It is hard to see anybody other than

Jenson Button, he has been brilliant. Two frustrated Red Bull

drivers and a fired-up Lewis Hamilton, a blisteringly quick Kimi

Raikkonen and Jenson Button nerving that pole position needs to become

victory if he has designs on the title, and that is before we throw

one of the world's greatest tracks into the mix. It is the 2012

Belgian Grand Prix, live from the circuits in the world. Michael

Schumacher wins and becomes the most successful Grand Prix driver

of all time. David Coulthard slides the McLaren through the bus stop.

The fastest drivers driving the favourite for drivers and

enthusiasts an today this ribbon of tarmac winding its way over the

Ardennes hills looks resplendent. The second chunk of the season

starts think in the south-eastern corner of Belgium, close to the

border with Luxembourg and Germany. Uneasy run from the UK as well. We

have fans from all over Europe here today. This is what they come to

see. A 4.3 mile track wickets experiences and elevation change of

100 metres, corners taken at 180 mph, and also has some major

overtaking opportunities. The lap is split into three distinct

sectors. The first and last but a premium on low downforce and high

speed, but the middle sector rewards are high downforce set-up

and that is why on the grid today, we have different approaches being

taken by the teams in how they set up their cars, and even within the

same team, like Jenson going one way with a low downforce, and there

was going with high downforce. We could see high contrast in the race.

This is going to be a race of discovery. Every single Grand Prix

is that. What makes this particularly tricky a run this

circuit is McLaren have done a long run of four laps on Saturday. We

are hearing that most of the top teams are suffering with some

inside shoulder blistering on the front tyres. They don't know how

far they can go. The top 10 are or have to start on the tyres they

qualified on so they have a minimum of three laps on those tyres

already before going off the grid. With fuel as well as the difference

in wing set ups between Lewis Hamilton and his team-mate Jenson

Button. Jenson going for a low downforce set-up. That will make

him struggle in the middle sector, which is where the terms are, and

Hamilton going for a high downforce set-up where it should gain him lap

time in the middle sector. Many other stories of comes just --

contrasting set out across the grid. Sergio Perez lining up in fourth

place, his best ever slot. A fantastic opportunity to score well

for Sauber. Kimi Raikkonen, with a penalty for Maldonado, he lines up

third on the grid. His first -- best grid position for Lotus. A

real opportunity when you look at how hard he has challenged for

victory a couple of times this season from further back on the

grid. Kobayashi is right next door to Jenson Button on the front row.

Only the second time the Japanese driver has been on the front row.

Takuma Sato managed it in 2000 far -- 2004. Let's take a look at the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 53 seconds

long straight, back down towards ready on and Eau Rouge. Look at the

fans on the side of the roads. There have been a lot of incidents

in some of the support races. There was a big incident in the Porsche

as Super Cup race along that section. Let's hope for a clean

first lap. A love those images of the fans on the banking. They are

just using the natural topography given to them around this circuit.

They have turned out in their tens of thousands. Formula One is in

rude health. Kimi Raikkonen is going through a bite. Find

procedure to bed in the clutch. -- byte point find procedure. The

teams have had little opportunity to get the bike points properly

brand new set of option tyres. We are also hearing that Raikkonen has

been giving -- getting last-minute advice that a puddle below his gear

change paddle is able to adjust the differentials. If he is suffering

from understeer, he can pull that Pavel and it will reduce the amount

of locking on the corner and allow the front end to bite in. I'm a bit

surprised he's getting that information so late. Fernando

Alonso is the championship leader by 40 points from Webber and Vettel.

Although he has qualified in fifth place, it is only Raikkonen of his

close contenders ahead of him. Vettel is behind him, Hamilton,

Webber. Qualifying didn't go too badly for Ferrari, but Red Bull

lead the Constructors' Championship. finish where they start, they would

become the 5th best constructor at this stage of the season. They

would go past Mercedes if they finish where they are now, which is

remarkable for the Swiss team. Gary, you are keeping an eye on the cars

as they left the grid. RADIO: It everybody on option tyres

apart from Hulkenberg and Rosberg. Everybody else on options. The hard

tyre for Hulkenberg, as we've heard, and for Rosberg. Gary, we've now

got that announcement, the decision by the teams, on which tyres to

start on. It is difficult. I expect this to be a normal two stopped

race. You could stretch it to one stop, but the blisters on the tyres,

you will see them appeared just above the white line. The driver

sees it first so it gets him worry to begin with. I am also hearing

Red Bull are having a problem with the left front tyre. They wanted

everybody to be on three stops for safety reasons. This is going to be

there furthest any body has gone on dry weather tyres. We had so much

rain and on Friday and such a short session on Saturday. So little data

to go on and it is very difficult to get the tyres operating at the

correct temperatures. They have to run both types of tie at some point

during the race. Button pasta start on the softer compound tyre because

that is what he qualified on. The Belgian Grand Prix, not just at Spa,

but a couple of other places over the years, has been won 15 times by

a British driver, including four in a road in the 1960s on the famous

old road circuit here. Field track was incredible. Jim Clark winning

between 1962 and 1965. The last British winner was Lewis Hamilton

in 2010. Problems for Kobayashi. His brakes. He has got them nice

and hot on the parade lap. That might be some burning of the carbon.

He will be hoping they can get this car started quickly. A worry for

Sauber. Hopefully it won't cause a problem. It can boil the brake

fluid if you're sitting there might for a long time with the brakes

overheating. We are getting ready to go. Away we go! Maldonado

shooting through. Was that a jump start? Button makes a good start.

Hamilton... He has hit the Lotus! Alonso is out. Hamilton is out.

Kobayashi is out. Real drama of the start of the race. This has a

massive impact in terms of the championship as well. This will be

a safety car. They can't carp -- clear that many cars. For safety

car is now deployed so the race is neutralised. Nobody can overtake on

the run up to Raidillon and up to turn five. Button leads from

Raikkonen. The Force Indias can't believe it. Lewis Hamilton is out.

We have seen so many accidents at La Source. Fernando is still in the

car. Grosjean talking to Lewis Hamilton in the foreground. Alonso

still in the car at the moment. Drs there very quickly. The Doctor's

car follows the cars at the start. Paramedics ready. Now Alonso is

slowly climbing out of the car. had a car launched over the top of

his chassis. Taking some time to gather his thoughts. He looks like

he is absolutely fine. Let's hope that the case. Real drama at the

start of his Grand Prix. Hamilton went over to Grosjean and looks

like he was trying to apportion some blame. We will need to see the

full replay to see what caused the start-line incident. On board with

Kimi Raikkonen. These guys now settled down as the safety car has

been caught. We have lost a number of cars and Alonso's points streak

comes to an end one short of the record he was lining up to beat.

Michael Schumacher's of 24 points finishes in a road. The

championship leader, it has all gone wrong for him. Force India

have come through it with their two cars in third and fourth. Amazingly,

Michael Schumacher is in fifth place. What is it about Schumacher

and the circuit? His 300th a drink -- Grand Prix. The two Germans have

moved up. Lewis Hamilton walked back. Not sure why he has taken

that memento from the accident. It doesn't look like it is a sexy part

of the McLaren! Disappointment on the face of his partner. Sebastian

Vettel was one of the losers at the start of that race as well. He is

now down in 12th place. Nico Rosberg up to 13 from the back.

Let's run through the order. Button, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, di Resta...

Della Rosa coming into the pits. And Maldonado. Schumacher in fifth,

Ricciardo in the Toro Rosso is in sixth place. Jules Eric Byrne is in

seventh. Poor old Canary Kobayashi... You've just seen a bit

of action in the pits. This is not what we want to see, Gary. It is

not. Taking out the three contenders dilutes it a little bit.

It is about trying to make up the places. We need to see what really

happened. Lewis seemed a bit ambitious, but Kobayashi did look

as though he was very slow off the line and caused a bit of confusion.

We need a replay before we can make any judgments. Perez is out as well.

Let's take a look at it. Maldonado went very early. Let's look for the

action. Lewis Hamilton is trying to get past Grosjean. He got pushed

over onto the grass and that triggered the rest of the incident.

Maldonado either getting in amazing reaction... On the left of screen

you can see Grosjean coming across into Hamilton. That triggers the

incident. Grosjean went over the top of the chassis of Alonso.

Maldonado, it looks like it was simultaneous with the lights going

out. Grosjean comes across, Lewis isn't fazed by that. It all kicks

off and the result is a lot of expensive damage. Both Saubers

involved in that. Perez was the first one hit, launched over the

top of Alonso. Kobayashi was trying to stay out of the way and got

clouted. This is on board with Kobayashi. The result of his poor

start. We were highlighting some of the issues. He keeps out of trouble

on the run-in to the first corner and then all hell brakes loose. He

was an innocent victim, the result of the contact. This is from Lewis

Hamilton. Watch for Grosjean coming across. They touch and from that

moment, it is in the lap of the gods. I have to say, the stewards

will be taking a close look at that. Grosjean does come across very

quickly. This has alongside. -- grand prix racing. The driver's

head is exposed. Formula One can cite a big sigh of relief. It was

so close of coming down on top of the chassis. Carbon is particularly

an issue. They need to clear it up to avoid any risk of the drivers

picking up a puncture. The teams do have sensors to tell them what the

tyre pressures and higher temperatures are. They will be in

communication with their engineers. -- tyre temperatures. Just look at

the debris! It looks like a Formula One scrapyard. We saw Romain

Grosjean talking to the team. Was he cutting across to match?

have to be very careful when changing direction at the start of

a Grand Prix. You have to assume you have the car beside you. I

would take the view he moved slowly and deliberately. To me, it did not

look like he was reacting to someone suddenly braking in front

of him. It looked like he saw a gap - an opportunity - and cut across.

Arguably, you could have said that when Lewis Hamilton saw him come

over, he could have reacted to that. At the moment, it looks as though

Romain Grosjean was too aggressive. Kamui Kobayashi is right at the

back of the field. From our wonderful Saturday it has gone

horribly wrong for Sauber. They had such an opportunity to score points

and even pass Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship. Another

view on board with Lewis Hamilton. That start by Pastor Maldonado was

incredible. Lewis Hamilton has a small moment to make the decision.

He could have lifted or held his position. He took the decision to

hold his position. He got squeezed and there was unavoidable contact.

The rest triggered from birth. accident, it just looks horrific.

We have another view on board with Fernando Alonso. David was saying,

this is almost a demonstration of the advances in driver safety.

one thing that still stands out is the driver's head. We have been

very lucky. Romain Grosjean came across. Lewis Hamilton did not have

anywhere to go really. He could have gone up on the grass but he

did not really want to do that. More care and attention from Romain

Grosjean would not have done any harm. Hindsight is a wonderful

thing. I'm sure he might wish he made a different decision. You're

not going to win a Grand Prix at the first corner but you can

certainly lose it. Unless it is Monaco, then you can weave for the

rest of the race. Tyre temperatures are dropping again. The Lotus team

is still hard at work. East fuel to warm up the car. Sebastien were --

Sebastian Vettel is getting instructions as well. He is down in

12th place. Others who lost out where Pastor Maldonado, with the

quick start. Every plate of Lewis Hamilton when he got out of the car.

-- another play. That is an International Signal. Both looked

very relaxed, sitting inside the air-conditioned SLS. One thing this

does change is the ability and strategy for the teams to try to

get to one stop this afternoon. You are putting laps on the tyres. You

are not taking anywhere near the energy - not putting as much energy

into the tired - and taking as much life out of the tyre. -- the tyre.

It was quite close to doing one stop. The only problem is if this

does start to appear. As for where, I do not think there is too big a

problem. With this going on now, you are using some of the fuel load

up and bedding the tyres in a bit. They will be cooler but

temperatures front and rear will be more equal. Normally off the start

line, the rear tyres get very hot. Then the front tyres come in. When

it does start again, the tyres will come up together. The balance of

the tyre -- the balance of the tyres will be much better. We hear

that Lewis Hamilton will not be giving any interviews until after

the race but he is fine. He is OK. We were not be hearing from him

during the race. We will look out for his tweets exclamation up

Jenson Button leads the race. his tweets! That incident was

unbelievable. Force India are in a fantastic position - third and 4th

place. They must look at the situation and perhaps change the

strategy between the two cars. is Jenson Button up front. He has

managed to make up ground on Kimi Raikkonen. In third place it is

Nico Hulkenberg. Filipe Massa has gone wide. Sebastian Vettel has

come out of the slipstream. Filipe Massa regained the position. That

is Heikki Kovalainen in a Caterham. They have got past the Caterham. A

change in second. Nico Hulkenberg has gone into second place. Jenson

Button leaves. More damage on a calf. It is Pastor Maldonado with

no front wing. -- a car. Jenson Button has been gifted even more

space now. I too not know what happened to Kimi Raikkonen. Nico

Hulkenberg has moved up. There is Nico Rosberg. He started right at

the back of the field. The great chance for the Mercedes to score

points. Look at Jenson Button! It is looking good for him. Kimi

Raikkonen is in third place. Daniel Ricciardo is in the Toro Rosso just

behind. Smoke is coming off the underside of the Force India. That

is due to the extra fuel. We are getting information that the Cup

involving Pastor Maldonado is under investigation. He decided he was

ready to go. Charlie Whiting was shaking his head in disbelief. It

does not seem to work out for him. Mark Webber is in 9th place and

Filipe Massa is in 10th. The hopes for Ferrari to score some points

live with Filipe Massa. Sebastian Vettel has a good run on him

through the DRS zone. There was a change. Michael Schumacher or got

past Paul di Resta her. Changes are happening. Michael Schumacher is

now in 4th place. It was not looking rosy after qualifying but

Michael Schumacher is to writing his fans. He is raising his way on

the track he calls his living room. -- delighting his fans. They did

that bend in about 40 minutes. That is the power of teamwork. Watch the

park of Senna! It looks more neat Kamui Kobayashi is trying to climb

back up the field in the Sauber. Fernando Alonso is OK. That was a

frightening start. He knew nothing about it till he got hit and

climbed over by other cars. Jenson Button has the three. Six-second

lead over Nico Hulkenberg. -- 3.6. Filipe Massa is still chose by

Sebastian Vettel. Jenson Button with a good, comfortable lead. Nico

Hulkenberg is on a harder tyre in second place than all of those

around him. Nico Rosberg is the any other one on the same tyre. We're

not expecting too much of a difference in-lap time. As we see

the replay of Michael Schumacher, he dummies to the right in goes

round the outside. He has not lost any of his racing instincts Claudio

Vitaly Petrov. As the discussions continue, he will still be the

champion leader going into monster. He had that much of a margin. --

Monza. He came so close to beating a record of Michael Schumacher but

it is not to be. Michael Schumacher is still to win at Spa. Kimi

Raikkonen looks to be struggling with front locking. He is getting

up on the inside of Filipe Massa love. Sebastian Vettel has done it

under braking and gets past the Ferrari. With all the weight of

fuel on board, Filipe Massa was having a bigger left. Sebastian

Vettel was using the extra momentum. Mark Webber is getting close. Kamui

Kobayashi is back again. I do not know if this is the result of

damage. Mark Webber moves to the outside. He is in the limiter. When

you ran into limiter, you lose acceleration. The gear up on the

Red Bull, it looks like they had just too short. Just hitting the

red limiter as they come up to the top of the hill. That denies him

the opportunity to get past. Red Bulls where the fastest cars

but by the time they got to the end of the long straight, at turn five,

they had dropped about 15 kilometres per hour on other cars.

Mark Webber is getting around on Bruno Senna. He is having nothing

of that. It is a difficult place to overtake at the best of times. Mark

Webber is being caught all the time by Sebastian Vettel. He wants to

get past the Williams. This is the tussle for 8th place. The two Toro

Rossos are staying ahead at the moment. Here comes Mark Webber.

Bruno Senna is controlling the pace. He did a good job of that in

Hungary. It is not proving easy for him to get past. Jenson Button

continues to lead. Nico Hulkenberg is second for Force India. Michael

Schumacher is force. Paul di Resta ate his 5th. Mark Webber is in 10th

place. -- Paul di Resta et is 5th. Jenson Button is out of the DRS own.

Michael Schumacher has come up through as well. -- is the DRS zone.

That is Daniel Riccardo in the Toro Rosso trying to get past. Nico

Hulkenberg seems to have found pace and balance. Is this giving as an

early indication that the hard tyre is the raise tyre of choice? All of

the top 10 had to start on the option tyre. Mark Webber still

trying to find a way past Bruno Senna. You are picking up bits of

saying if you want to pit me now, do it as long as you can put me in

clean air. That indicates two stops for Red Bull. No one has stopped as

yet. A scheduled stop. Still Jenson Button in control. Lookout for

Vettel on Webber. RADIO: You are currently pulling

away from the field at more than half a second per lap. Vettel has

gone through! He has gone past Mark Webber and that is a crucial move.

Great driving from both team-mates. We know they had an incident a few

years ago, but Vettel positioned his car on the outside. Webber

could have squeezed him, but he left enough room. Let's have

another look. Mark could have squeezed Addis point. But he gave

him the space. Vettel cut mark's nose off a little bit on the exit.

Ricciardo is through. He passes di Resta. Face seemed to have found

some great pace with this car. -- but they seem to have. Di Resta is

being chased by Jean-Eric Vergne. He will be delighted to be in the

points at this early stage of the race. Still a long way to go. Bruno

Senna still hold a gun to eighth place. But now he is being chased

by Sebastian Vettel, then Webber, race already. Maldonado, Perez,

Alonso, Hamilton and Grosjean as a result of the first-corner accident.

Picking up on the Force Indias on the different tyres. Hulkenberg

seems to be getting the hard tyre to work, but if you look at

Schumacher and Rosberg, as we see Vettel getting right underneath a

gearbox of Bruno Senna. Going wide again on to the artificial grass.

Senna is good on the brakes. Not this time. Who was that in the

pits? I think it is di Resta. has bailed out on the auction tyres.

He will be putting hard tyres on. The sidewall on the tyre will tell

us the story. If it is still the writing, it is the hard tyre. It is.

Hulkenberg is still running in second place. 6.3 seconds behind

Button. Senna is under pressure from Vettel. Making a move. He just

can't do it. He is in the rev limiter, that is the problem with

the DRS Open. I think there's been a change of position up front,

Schumacher is in front of Raikkonen. Raikkonen really struggling. We

thought the Lotus would be shining in the sunshine at Spa because it

is so good in warmer conditions. This is how Schumacher did it.

Around the outside. Raikkonen put it over the kerb to keep out of the

way. A good overtaking move. Vettel is still chasing seller. Mark

Webber is now under his gearbox. Michael Schumacher backing to a

podium position. He has had one podium since his return. This

circuit and him have such a wonderful relationship, it six

times a race winner here. 20 years since his first ever Grand Prix

victory and it was here at Spa. Kimi Raikkonen apparently

struggling. Jenson Button continues to lead the race. Vettel is right

behind Senna. Webber is in. Bull going.. 11 laps completed. In

had been struggling. A good stop by Kimi Raikkonen's team. Both going

onto the hard tyres. They looked to prefer that higher. Coming out

ahead if di Resta. Di Resta finding Caterham. The straight-line speed

of the Force India is significantly faster. The Caterham doesn't even

bother defending. He is not in the same race. Technically he is, but

in terms of a bright performance. Will Vettel bail from trying to

overtake Senna? Is there a clear space on the circuit tracker for

the team to dropping into an area? RADIO: We need to push and make the

most of these fresh tyres. Other cars will stop around us. We need

to keep pushing. They will also be hoping that the car works hard on

the harder tyre than it was on the softer compound. A little slide

from Vettel as he continues to chase Senna. The car moving around

a little bit. He is fighting it a bit more than he was. Working hard.

It will come down to the second sector time of Mark Webber. That

will give an indication of fresh tyres and running in clean air.

That will trigger Vettel coming in. Raikkonen responds by going fastest

in the middle sector. Vettel staying out. 54.6 for the middle

sector, this is losing him track time. Daniel Ricciardo has just

come into the pits. Contact! Senna was so slow in the corner to the

apex. Felipe Massa sent on his way once again. Daniel Ricciardo

Gardner running so strongly for Toro Rosso, but can they maintain

that kind of level. Mark Webber trying to pick up the speed as much

as possible. Petrov has just come into the pits. Vettel that still

trying to close on Bruno Senna. But not enough to make a move as they

come up towards Les Combes. This is a great example of straight-line

speed against car balance and downforce. The Red Bull closes up

in the middle part of the lap. This is the middle sector and the Red

Bull has a lot more gap. -- Greg. When we get onto the streets in the

last sector and through her ruche in the first sector, that Williams

is set up perfectly to have great straight-line speed. You can gain a

second through this middle sector were the high downforce set-up. But

you can gain half a second on the first and last sectors if you have

got the low downforce set-up. Vettel is losing time to Mark

Webber so he will come up behind him. Carlotta brake dust coming out

of the Williams. -- a lot of. That could be an indication of the type

of cooling ducts they have. It was there an issue with this pit-stop?

For that was slowed. Very slow. It was all about get away. It looks

like he had an issue getting the car in gear. This is where he went

past Webber. Vettel goes around the outside of Senna. He went back over

to make sure Senna didn't shut the door. Vettel moves into sixth place

-- fifth place. Hulkenberg has just come into the pits. It means

Michael Schumacher is now second in this race to Jenson Button. Button

is still there, but Hulkenberg in and out on the softer compound tyre.

He has to use that I had some point. He's decided to use it now. In just

think decision by the team. -- interesting decision. Vettel did

has successfully to Mark Webber and once again does it to Senna. Senna

was very fair in the second part of the chicane. It looks like Vettel

needs to take these tyres as long as he can. The extra speed he

carried through Blanchmont. Battle of the braking. Senna leaving him

just enough room. I've tried to finish the sentence a few times...

It seems to me that if Vettel... Raikkonen is on fresher tyres. I

will finish! Vettel have to try to go as long as he can on these tyres,

to see if he can do something different. If he just does another

couple of laps and pits, he will be to a height Mark Webber and that

extra effort to pass Senna will not do much for him. -- he will be

behind Mark Webber. Kimi Raikkonen is going quickly behind Nico

Rosberg, but the other Lotus is felt. It was involved in that

first-corner accident. Can you tell us the view from your seat? A good

start and then a big boom that and then nothing. I don't know, I

haven't seen the images. The main thing is we are all OK. Do you

think you moved over to quickly? don't know. I haven't seen the

footage. You're off it and well, thank you. -- you are fit and well.

Romain Grosjean involved and the first-corner accident that a cut

Alonso and Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel coming up behind the Toro

Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne. This should be a fairly straightforward

pass. He has got in front of the Toro Rosso. It shows how a

comparable the cars are. Here comes Raikkonen on Rosberg. This was

further down. Raikkonen is coming up through the order after making

an early pit-stop. It looks as though he is on a two-stop strategy.

Button Ann Schumacher will perhaps try to do it on one stop. If

Rosberg fighting to hold that position. Hulkenberg was going so

well earlier. He has been into the pits, but Rosberg has not. Gary,

let's have... The contrast of two stops again we are on lap 15 right

now. Halfway his lap 22. Vettel Ann Schumacher have just done their

fastest laps of the race. -- Vettel and Schumacher. Jenson Button has

lost anything. The tyres are being a lot more durable than people

expected. Button's lead over Schumacher is 11.6 seconds. We are

looking at Nico Rosberg in the other Mercedes. He is under

pressure from Hulkenberg. Mercedes against Force India, both have a

Mercedes power unit in the back foot up Hulkenberg going right

around the outside! Rosberg knows... He is slow off. Hulkenberg on the

outside will try to do it. Rosberg has the inside line. No, Hulkenberg

has completed it. My goodness! unsafe release from the Caterham

team. He clipped the back of the HRT. There's a raw in place, you

can't release your car if their car in front of you in the pit lane has

crossed a certain point in the pit lane. A mistake from the Caterham

team. That was a bit of a shocking pit lane. It looks like everyone

was OK. It can be frightening when cars make contact in the pit lane.

It was a fairly minor brush in the end. There will be consequences,

Nico Hulkenberg. Box this lap. Bruno Senna has managed to get to

lap 16 before making his pit stop. They would have liked to have got a

bit further. It might be a bit marginal. Here comes Daniel

Ricciardo. He is moving around in his attempts to get past Nico

Rosberg. He is seeing this as an opportunity to try to score points

for Toro Rosso. Sebastian Vettel is in third place. It is a good

indication those tyres are still working on his car. It will be an

easy pass at 200 miles an hour on the burn into Blanchmont. He will

beat into -- he will be under pressure. Mark Webber has new tyres

on as well. He has been into the pits. He is making use of the extra

pits -- grip. I am a little bit surprised to see dust from the

Williams. It is not a hard track on brakes. Although the brakes get

time to cool down, the pit stops can catch you out. With the wet

weather, that is worrying, I have to say. That was a straight forward

pass by Mark Webber. Mark Webber is into 7th place as a result of that.

Billy Payne asset is trying to pass Nico Rosberg. -- Filipe Massa.

Fernando Alonso went out at the first corner, as did Lewis Hamilton.

They are both playing no further part. Keep pushing, Jenson Button.

We are still on target. Jenson Button has a 12.9 second lead.

Kamui Kobayashi is still running. We did lose the other Sauber at the

start. We had Charles Pic doing a good job. Heikki Kovalainen is

still running but they are investigating the release of his

Caterham from the pits. The tyres are going to be going to the end.

think Jenson Button may be in the same situation. His consistency has

been incredible. Nico Rosberg did not fight that. He is on old tyres

and there is no point. He would have cost them bedtime. I think

Jenson Button bull tried to do -- I think Jenson Button will try to

keep the same tyres. That is incredible. He is doing a stunning

job. Michael Schumacher has not stopped either. Just here watching

Nico Rosberg. Another eight laps on this set of tyres and the pace

looks good. A Nico Hulkenberg is on a two stop strategy. He will be

coming back into the pits for a second stop. Bruno Senna is trying

to do it from now on in. It is a long way for him to go. It casts

around 15 seconds in track time if you Pitt. -- it costs. We will get

the replay from Nico Rosberg and Filipe Massa Are. A straight

forward pass, that would have cost no time for either driver. Nico

Hulkenberg is chasing... He is in 5th place. We are watching Paul to

Leicester. Behind him is the Jean- saving the tyres and he said no.

Eight Japanese driver finishing on the podium has only been done a

couple of times before. He had a poor start. The car is still

running. Let's keep an eye on the group as it is coming up the hill.

Jenson Button is leading from Michael Schumacher. Sebastian

Vettel is in a threatening their place. His lap time is not

significantly quicker than those ahead of him. Could the likes of

McLaren start to get worried? They are all looking at a one stop race.

You are keeping an eye on the map times. Jenson Button is very stable.

-- lap times. I think they are talking about Schedule Plus one.

You can get another racing lap out of them. Sebastian Vettel and

Michael Schumacher or side-by-side. Michael Schumacher almost took

Sebastian Vettel out. That is one of the difficulties with the pit

lane. Sebastian Vettel tried to get a good run. Michael Schumacher went,

I am coming into the pits and that caught Sebastian Vettel by surprise.

He was suddenly losing ground. It was not just because of Sebastian

Vettel, he was going to come into the pits for his tyre stop.

Sebastian Vettel is still going quick. He is still doing a very

good job on that higher. He is still a threat. -- that tyre. They

are coming up towards the Les Combes. It is tough on him to race

against people with much fresher tyres on. He is where he needs to

be at the top of Eau Rouge. He has a cap. Look at this! -- a gap. He

decides to come into the pits and Sebastian Vettel is caught out by

that. He has a moment all to himself. Jenson Button is coming in

for a pit stop. The boys are ready for him. They have got lap 28 and

that was the target to get just under half distance on a full tank

initially. They goad the harder compound tyres. -- at their go

there harder compound tyres. The pit stop dramas we saw earlier in

the years seem to be behind them. Sebastian Vettel is in second place.

Nico Rosberg is coming in at last. He has given up on those tyres. I

think that equals the record stop for a tyre change. Jenson Button

has come out in front of Sebastian Vettel. That shows you the level of

dominance we are seen from Jenson Button this afternoon. -- we are

seeing. We have Force India against Toro Rosso. That is the only

remaining Williams. John Eric Byrne things about passing the Force

India. -- Jean-Eric Vergne. There is an opportunity for them to score

points. Force India will be disappointed they cannot fend off

the Toro Rosso at this stage of the race. Nico Hulkenberg is in 4th

place. Jenson Button still leads the race. Paul di Resta is

struggling for balance. We get a replay of Filipe Massa. 180 miles

an hour as he leaves the corner. That was an easy pass. I am not

sure whether that deserved so much of a slow-motion replay from the

director. Sebastian Vettel is into the pits. Let's just see. Sebastian

Vettel is back on his way once again. He would drop behind his

team-mate. He is on a different strategy. That was much longer than

the McLaren stop. Filipe Massa goes through. Does he had enough

momentum to state in front of the Toro Rosso? -- stay in front. The

Toro Rosso will be in the DRS activation zone. Up the hill they

come. A little look around. No one is going to make him move of it.

Sebastian Vettel is now out in 6th place but he will go through to the

end of the race on these tyres. managed on the softer tyres.

need to make a two stop work. Hulkenberg is just being told how

it is all developing round and about him. If the strategy engineer

has only just worked that out of... I am sure they are fully on top of

what has been going on. I'm sure there is a delay. Maybe there is a

strategy into when you tell them. You tell them immediately. Kimi

Raikkonen is now back into second place in the Lotus. He is on 8 two

stop. The battle between him and Sebastian Vettel will be

interesting as it develops. Eight new fastest lap from Jenson Button.

The new tyres are working well. Daniel Ricciardo was slipping and

sliding. Not enough for Michael Schumacher to get inside. He is

pretty clever when it comes to race strategy. He will be positioning

himself. We have looked at the tyres and Plan A is good. It is

looking quite comfortable at the moment. That pit stop for Jenson

Button was brilliant. It is a long way around the outside for Michael

Schumacher. He is still in 8th place. A new fastest lap by Nico

Rosberg. It shows the pace of the Mercedes is coming together quite

well. Performance has been up and down. They have won in China.

Michael Schumacher has qualified fastest in Monaco. It is hard to

work out what they can do. It is hard. They always seem to be

relatively quicker in the race. Is that Paul di Resta her? I think it

was. He has had a bit of a problem all day. It is very confusing for

the team. What is happening right now is what they did not expect.

They have had a bit of a benefit from a few guys coming out. There

was a bit of contact. This is Sebastian Vettel trying to go

around the outside. We have also got an interesting indication on

our timing screens that the pit changes will be investigated after

the race. Daniel Ricciardo goes down the inside. Michael Schumacher

is still chasing as much as possible and try to get on terms

with Sebastian Vettel. Both of those drivers are on a one stop

race. Michael Schumacher is in a race. They are racing for podium

spots. Lots to look forward to as we continue to watch. We are over

half the distance. Jenson Button is still in control. Daniel Ricciardo

has to watch from behind. Six seconds behind him is his team-mate.

That was a difficult turn. You drop down the hill. You can see how much

time he is losing on that section of the track. It seems Mercedes

have found some race pace. It will not worry them. What we saw with

the Bruno Senna and Paul di Resta or overtake, I think there was a

little bit of contact. We will see if there was some damage. Nico

Hulkenberg is running in third place as rejoin the race leader,

Jenson Button. Difficult to imagine anyone getting close to him this

afternoon. He happens to be the of this year and at the moment he

is looking very good in the first race of the second part of the

season, but Vettel has just done a fastest lap.

RADIO: Still quite a long way to go. Lap times are still competitive.

Massa currently in sixth position. He is ahead of Schumacher, but a

little behind Vettel. Jenson Button has a rather lonely time of it in

front. He has a ten-second advantage over Raikkonen. Kobayashi

into the pits once again. He had to make an extra pit stop because of

damage on the car after being involved in the first corner

accident. Everything looks good on the car. No chance that Sauber will

get anything like what they must have wished for today with cars

starting second and fourth on the grid. Perez out in the first

conduct -- corner along with Alonso and Hamilton, and then Kobayashi

getting involved as well and dropping down the order. Looking on

board with Mark Webber, he lost a second to his team-mate on the

previous lap. Vettel was only three seconds behind him. They are

battling over fourth and fifth place. Vettel looking like he has

got good enough pace. He has already managed to pass Webber once

in this Grand Prix. Half a second faster than Mark Webber. Any time

soon he will be on the back of that Red Bull. Jenson Button in the

background. Raikkonen is 10 seconds back. Hulkenberg hanging in there

and Raikkonen and Hulkenberg will both have to make another pit stop.

They are chased by Webber and he will have to make another pit-stop.

Behind them, Vettel on a one stock raised. A real opportunity for

Vettel to jump to second place after they have made their second

pit stops. Gary Orr, I was talking about Kobayashi. There's some

damage on that Sauber. Quite a lot of bits missing. The right hand

side Aironi devices are all gone. That can equate to half a second

per lap. He is definitely driving damage-limitation at the moment.

Such a shame for us Sauber. They started the day so well with both

cars up there on the grid. Alonso will be feeling pretty disappointed,

too. RADIO: Raikkonen is five seconds

ahead of you and then hot -- and Hulkenberg, expect them both to put

again. Button in the league by a long way. My Mark Webber being told

what is going on. He is currently in fourth position, but charging

along through the middle section. I mentioned that Sauber's Des went

wrong at the first corner. We can hear from Sergio Perez. First of

all, are you OK? Yes, I'm OK. us about the accident. What did you

see? A mistake from another driver. It was a shame for myself and the

team. Looking forward to the next one. I suppose there's not much

more he can say! He must be gutted. But he will come back fighting.

are seeing Vettel taking a second at of Webber. There's your gap. You

don't need a stopwatch to see that Mark has a hurry up on Hulkenberg

otherwise he will have to be defending in the next lap from

Vettel. But Vettel has a real shot at the podium. Raikkonen is the

only four seconds in front of Hulkenberg.

RADIO: Saved 10% KERS each lap. is being asked to save an amount of

KERS each lap. What would... Deploy it only 90% of what you thought and

that could be due to heat. We should call an hour resident

technical experts to explain that. That will be heat. The charging

system generates the heat. If you're using 100%, it will have to

recharge 100%. That generates more heat. It keeps the system under

control for a couple of laps and maybe they can start lose it --

using it again. It is not good use for a driver because you want to be

able to use all of the stored energy. It has an effect on the way

the court is -- car is balanced through the braking zone. You want

to make sure you have the maximum release.

RADIO: It managing the tie as well. You are still pulling away from

Raikkonen. Pace is good. All well and good up front for Jenson Button.

He has some traffic to deal with over the next lap or so, but

hopefully that will not cause any problems. Timo Glock is just ahead

of him. Also Kovalainen, I believe, in the Caterham. I think Vettel

will be right on to the gearbox of Mark Webber as they come across the

line. Who's coming in? Hulkenberg. Followed in by Webber. They are

going for their second pit-stops. They will have good ideas until the

end now. Massa has come in at the same time. All of the front-running

teams be stopping at the same time. Hulkenberg still came out ahead of

Webber. Just in front of Ricciardo. It keeps them ahead of her own and

Senna and Rosberg. Mark Webber behind the Toro Rosso. The two stop

cars are on tyres that should last the distance, but perhaps the guys

on the one stop might be struggling towards the end. That will be the

case if they can make it last, but Vettel well over a second faster.

Raikkonen is only 5.6 seconds ahead of him. We will quickly see a

battle between the number Lotus Renault and the Red Bull-Renault.

Vettel looking like he could be on target for second if he makes the

tyres last. Vettel is in shape for a solid podium finish. Senna

against Massa for ninth place. Let's take a look... So not on the

outside. The two group Brazilian's giving each other plenty of space

and no problems. Hulkenberg and where there -- and Webber took a

harder compound tyre. Hulkenberg started on the harder tyre, went to

scoffed and has gone back to heart. pit stop. A marginal. Didn't seem

to impede the Ferrari. If at all. little bit of reaction from McLaren

as well. Raikkonen has been in for his second pit stop. This gives us

an idea as to where everybody is. And how things begin to shape up

for the closing stages of the race. He is behind Michael Schumacher. On

board with Massa, who is still dicing with Bruno Senna. Classic

going very wide on the exit of La Source. We saw Mark Webber pull off

an incredible move down here last year, but I don't think Massa is

about to do that on Senna. He is in the DRS zone so you would expect

that Ferrari to be able to deploy that. Will Senna even bother going

defensive? Doesn't look like it. That Williams has been showing good

straight line speed, but Massa has retaken the position. Raikkonen has

come up behind Schumacher. He will need to deploy some speed from the

fresher tyres and hunt down the seven-times world champion.

Raikkonen has to do the hunting. Raikkonen Bonn for fresh a set of

tyres, he also has to chase after Sebastian Vettel to get second.

This was a straightforward pass for Felipe Massa. The DRS giving him

extra speed and position. Ricciardo has just been into the pits. Just

hanging on to the top 10. Hulkenberg against Webber for fifth

place at the moment. This is genuine race for position. They

have now both made their second pit-stops and it is all about

racing to the flag and he was faster than the other. You would

expect a Red Bull to be quicker than the Force India. You can see

Raikkonen Ann Schumacher just ahead. It is not only the battle for 5th.

They can see they are racing for third and fourth place. A chance

for a podium. Kinta the pits comes Jean-Eric Vergne. -- into the pits.

That will promote Ricciardo back into tenth place. Karthikeyan and

Kovalainen still having a tussle. Michael Schumacher and Kimi

Raikkonen. Raikkonen White on his tail. Among safe release incident

involving Mark Webber under investigation. -- Dan and safe

release. Gary, did you get a view of that? I did. It was a little bit

close, but there was no real damage done. Red Bull have a new lollipop

guy. The normal guy has got meningitis. It is a new man this

weekend. We will see whether there's going to be any penalty

applied. What is the distance that the teams are given in the pit

lane? I don't know the actual distance, but there's a board on

the pit wall. That has the team name on it. If a car is within that,

you have to hold your car further than that board. There's a good

market for everyone to save. You don't have to get any more. They

can look at a later. -- look at it later. Michael Schumacher has got

pressure on him from Kimi Raikkonen. These two over the years have won

tend Belgian Grand Prix. -- 10. Two tussles to watch are for.

Schumacher, six times a winner and Spa, and Raikkonen, four times a

winner. His last victory came at Spa. Mark Webber not quite close

enough to the Force India. Michael Schumacher is holding this group up.

He is trying to do 25 laps on this set of tyres to naked to the end.

Raikkonen will be in the DRS zone. It doesn't look like he is making

much progress on Michael Schumacher as they climbed the hill. A lock-up

from Raikkonen. A little bit of a lock-up on the front right. Felipe

Massa has just set the fastest lap. 1:53.4. He is currently in seventh

place having made that second pit stop. Let's run through the order.

Button leads, Vettel. Another look at this relays. -- release. There's

a little reaction from the McLaren guys. What I would like is a replay

of that. You could see the market board that is some way beyond the

Red Bull pit garage, which is what the chief mechanic would have used.

Karthikeyan is off! Car I don't know how that initiated, but he has

hit the barrier. That is at the bottom end of the circuit.

Raikkonen Ann Schumacher down to Blanchmont. While this battle goes

on, will they be able to get the car recovered? This is where

Raikkonen crashed while battling for the lead a few years ago.

has done it! A fantastic move by Kimi Raikkonen. He gets past

Schumacher. You have still got Hulkenberg and Webber close behind.

Schumacher will not give it up, but he doesn't decided to go for a late

lunge into La Source. Webber still looking for an opportunity to get a

good run out of La Source. Hulkenberg side by side with

Schumacher. We will try to pick up the DRS. Mercedes engine power

against Mercedes engine power. Schumacher against Hulkenberg. The

veteran Schumacher... He is back in front of Raikkonen! He uses the DRS

zone to get back in front of Raikkonen. Raikkonen has a high

downforce set-up of the Lotus and it is working for him on the

twiddly bits, but he has a sitting duck on a high-speed sections.

has to get the pass done earlier on of the hill. He has put a wheel on

the dirt. A massive difference in the speed, 20 kilometres an hour.

Michael Schumacher retakes the position. A battle between two

world champions, and Michael Schumacher is ahead of Kimi

Raikkonen. Sebastian Vettel is 13 seconds ahead of that battle. That

will have caused a bit of the time. If Sebastian Vettel can make the

gap at least 16 seconds, he can do a pit stop if he needs to. He will

be focused. Kimi Raikkonen does not get alongside Michael Schumacher

this time. Perhaps he will wait for the DRS zone. With a high downforce,

it is proving difficult for him to overtake. It is very close. He will

try to get the run of, and then it is flat out down the help. -- down

the hill. It this will be telling. I do not think he has enough

straight-line speed, although he is better at the top of Eau Rouge.

That gets him into position. If he is burning into the rev limiter,

the car will be shaking. They cannot make any headway. Meanwhile,

Sebastian Vettel has got the gap to 14.5 seconds. It is looking even

more positive for him to have the buffer and still maintain second

place. Jenson Button still leads. This is the race for third place.

Nico Hulkenberg and Mark Webber are out of the race. Kimi Raikkonen

getting close to the back of the Mercedes. A difficult place. He

will be in dirty air, there will be a small lift. Can he carry the

speed through Blanchmont and pass into the chicane? He is very close.

Mark Webber behind, trying to shape up to pass Nico Hulkenberg are.

Pedro de la Rosa, very sensible, he will try to keep out of the way,

but it is hard to do so. Pedro de la Rosa gets way out of their way.

Michael Schumacher holds on to third place. The frustration for

Kimi Raikkonen. RADIO: Michael is on a one stop, yes. Here goes Kimi

Raikkonen! He goes around the outside! What they moved! He knows

that Nico Hulkenberg will get the run as well. That is brave stuff

from Kimi Raikkonen. Nico Hulkenberg will try to take Michael

Schumacher. Kimi Raikkonen making the move. We saw Mark Webber on

Fernando Alonso their last year. I bet that was satisfying. Mark

Webber trying to get past Nico Hulkenberg. You can see Felipe

Massa. He has to saddle in behind again. Fantastic racing. Jenson

Button continues to control the race. Felipe Massa catching this

group. He is benefiting that they are losing time while they tried to

race. Kimi Raikkonen released his KERS. Michael Schumacher for better

of it. Nico Hulkenberg had a tank Slapper, he did not know where

Michael was. That lost some momentum. Watch this. Bravery! 185

mph at the bottom of the hill. Kimi Raikkonen knew that was his

opportunity. The wonderful stuff from Kimi Raikkonen. And at Michael

Schumacher, the two greats, going head-to-head. Mark Webber is tucked

in behind. It is Mercedes against forced India against rebel against

Ferrari. Nico Hulkenberg goes round the outside. I do not think it was

all four wheels, he has done it. Nico Hulkenberg has passed Michael

Schumacher. A brilliant manoeuvre, that takes a lot of confidence and

commitment. Michael Schumacher was incredibly fair. But he is coming

back with the DRS. He has done it! The double DRS that they used,

perhaps it is really working today. Gary Anderson, but Mercedes seems

so good in the longer DRS sown. has got a better drag reduction. I

have got my questions as regards the pure lap time, but Michael is

on the 20th lap on these tyres, and Nico Hulkenberg's tyres are eight

laps newer. It will get dodgier. RADIO: Plan B, 10 laps remaining.

That means 10 stops. It looks as though they might have to switch in

the closing stages. They have tried to go to one stop, but they might

not be able to do it, because the performance is dropping away.

will bring him out behind Felipe wrong screen! It could be worse.

Here comes Nico Hulkenberg again. Nico Hulkenberg goes round the

outside. Michael Schumacher is in, and Mark Webber goes through. The

extra pit stop for Michael Schumacher. Mark Webber is in

trouble, because Felipe Massa was right on his gearbox. Trinidad

Felipe Massa has been quick through the first sector. He has a lot more

top speed than the Red Bull. He is looking like he might be close

enough. Nico Hulkenberg has breathing space. What can Felipe

Massa do? He has got a good run going. Mark Webber cannot defend.

Felipe Massa claims the spot. The Ferrari is looking very good in a

straight line, and Ferrari are desperate for Felipe Massa to

deliver, particularly with Fernando Alonso in trouble. Jean-Eric Vergne

behind Nico Rosberg. Nico Rosberg has lost two places. The Toro Rosso

cost might end up swapping as a result. There will be honour at

stake for them. It is a good weekend for them. It is amazing,

when you get clear Air at the beginning of a race. It allows you

to race way you finished the first lap. A good performance. Michael

has re-emerged. He is just in front of Bruno Senna. Nico Rosberg

fighting as hard as they could. He is also on a one stop. He is losing

grip. That was removed. He tried to fend it off. He tried to push the

Toro Rosso as much as he could. But he was able to take the position.

Franz Tost, the team principal of Toro Rosso, barking instructions.

He is known to be brutal with the way he treats the drivers if they

are not performing. They will both be getting doggie biscuits today

for good behaviour! Nico Rosberg into the pits. Gary Anderson, the

gamble Mercedes made is not working for either of them. Nico Rosberg

started on the heart of tyre, he went to the softer. He was on a

slightly different strategy, but it did not work out. Mercedes still

struggling. Michael Schumacher is still in seventh place. He is ahead

of Bruno Senna. Some points would be nice, he has had lots of non-

finishes this year. To finish this Grand Prix would be good, but it

would have been lovely to be on the podium. Meanwhile, Jenson Button

continues to lead. He has got 14.3 seconds advantage. We have not seen

anybody have an advantage like this all season. Sebastian Vettel is in

second place. That is how long it took to see Sebastian Vettel.

RADIO:... That was the instruction to Jean-Eric Vergne. He is only 2.3

seconds behind Bruno Senna. He was 0.9 seconds faster on that last lap.

It is more than achievable. But we have seen that Williams is very

difficult to overtake. They are working well. It has been a good

recovery from Sebastian Vettel, he was running into a place after the

safety car. Kimi Raikkonen is a bit slow on this lap. He might have

been held up, or he has settled for third place. The Marussia cars are

still running. Bruno Senna, a bit of a slide. This is what they have

to be careful of, that is what it so that the thermal degradation.

The surface temperature of the rubber goes through the roof. You

lose your grip. It is not an issue with the rubber. A battle between

beat Russia drivers. Charles Pic ahead of Timo Glock. Even in these

teams, the rivalry is so intense. They have different strategies,

Timo Glock has done two stops, Charles Pic has done one macro.

Toro Rosso against Williams. It is tough to get alongside the Williams

at the end of the straight. Jean- Eric Vergne has got the fastest man

glory in the first sector, using the slipstream. He has gone purple.

Bruno Senna is struggling with the tyres. He is running very wide. He

is committed have to hold on, but he has the risk of being overtaken,

and he will be out of the points. Looking at the gap over the

pursuing pack, he has no choice but to hand out, otherwise he commits

himself to not finishing in the points. His tyres have done 22 laps.

Felipe Massa getting past Charles Pic, and Mark Webber doing likewise.

Charles Pic does not want to lose too much. He wants to stay ahead of

Timo Glock. He has in trouble this year -- Mackie has been in trouble

this year for not getting out of their way. Charles Pic may get him

back on the exit. Two team-mates going at it, hammer and tongs.

Charles Pic is in front again. It is a feisty performance from both

of them. Charles Pic is assisted by the last Frenchman to win a Grand

Prix, it is his birthday. But I wonder if he is able to watch this.

It is getting frantic. Timo Glock goes back in front. That was a

positive move from Timo Glock. He said, do not think about it! This

is Sebastian Vettel. It is Jean- Eric Vergne, or on Bruno Senna.

Excuse me. Daniel Ricciardo is trying to follow through, and Jean-

Eric Vergne has made the move off. He won all three British Formula

Three races here a couple of years ago. He loves this circuit. Paul di

Resta lining up. Daniel Ricciardo will be next on the defending list,