Raikkonen looks to rule majestic Spa again

LONDON, England (AP) In a sport where moving forward is the name of the game, Formula One's annual pilgrimage to Belgium represents a step into its past.
Spa specialist Kimi Raikkonen will be hoping for another champagne moment at Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

Since 1999, F1 has seen the arrival of six new, multi-million dollar circuits, with more to follow in the next few seasons.

But in Spa-Francorchamps F1 has one of its gems, an historic circuit of breathtaking scope and unpredictability, where a driver's bravery is rewarded.

It has delivered so many memorable moments and classic races since its first grand prix in 1925 -- before the world championship had been established.

Fast, sweeping and undulating in nature, changes have been made over the years but the essence of the track remains, perhaps best encapsulated by the uphill, 180mph (290km/h), left-right Eau Rouge corner.

World championship leader Lewis Hamilton has urged the sport to look back as well as forward by retaining old circuits such as Spa and Monza in Italy.

"You really feel the history of those places whenever you race there; they have real character," the McLaren driver said.

"Spa is one of my all-time favorites. It has probably the most exciting corner in Formula One, Eau Rouge, and it's one of the few circuits where you really feel like you're actually going somewhere.

"You blast off into the forest and get to the top of the hill and can feel the whole circuit beneath you. It's one of the best challenges in Formula One."

The 4.352-mile (7.004km) circuit benefits from the changeable weather of the Ardennes mountains in which it is located, meaning wet races are common.

But whatever the weather, Kimi Raikkonen is unbeaten at F1's longest circuit since 2002 and is looking to get his title charge back on track at his favorite venue.

"I love the track. I'd like to race there all the year round," said Ferrari's defending world champion.

"It's the best of all the tracks and I hope that I'll have a car that works the way I want. I'll give it all to win again."

The circuit was left off the 2003 and 2006 calendars after rows over sponsorship and last year's race was run on a slightly modified layout.

But overtaking is possible on the second quickest circuit in F1, where a balance between top speed and downforce for its variety of corners is hard to find.

Renault's two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is another of those enamored of the greatest track left in F1.

He said: "Spa is one of those exceptional circuits on the Formula One calendar. Like all the older circuits, there is always a very special and warm atmosphere.

"For the drivers, Spa is an unbelievable challenge and is a very enjoyable place to drive a Formula One car. I have never won at Spa and hope that one day I can add a win here to my list of achievements."

Expect spectacular Spa to serve up another treat of a grand prix on Sunday