Volvo is the first Euro Brand to import cars from China via an all new Train system.

Volvo Cars has become the first car maker in the world to export China-made cars to Europe by train via China’s new ‘One Belt, One Road’ trade initiative.

The first S90 premium saloons, built at its Daqing plant in China, will arrive at a distribution centre in Zeebrugge, Belgium this week.

The cars have been transported to Belgium via the recently opened China-Europe railway link. The connection brings down the time it takes to transport vehicles to Europe by two thirds compared with the naval route, meaning customers receive their car faster after ordering.

The train route ties Volvo’s global manufacturing and logistics strategy to the multi-billion euro trade flows between China and Europe and the so-called One Belt, One Road initiative that seeks to resurrect the age-old Silk Road trade route for a new era of global trade.

The railway link also illustrates how China is turning into a global manufacturing and export hub for high-end consumer products.

Volvo was the first Western car maker to export a premium China-made car to the US in 2015 with the S60 Inscription. In November of last year, Volvo started building high-end versions of its S90 premium saloon in Daqing for global exports, and will soon be building all S90 vehicles in the factory for global export.

Beyond shorter waiting times for customers, rail is also a smarter choice in terms of the environmental impact of logistics operations. Given the same distance, the CO2 emissions per tonne/km are reduced by a third by choosing rail over sea transport. In this case, the savings will be even higher based on the shorter distance.

Each of the Volvo-dedicated trains traveling between Daqing and Zeebrugge carry around 225 Volvo cars, which are transported in specially designed containers. One container holds three cars at different angles in order to maximise the use of space available inside. Special fixtures ensure that the cars are fastened during transport and do not move.

Initially, trains will depart from Daqine in Zeebrugge on May 31, the same week as China’s Prime Minister, Li Keqiang, visits Belgium. In connection with his visit in the country, Li Keqiang is also scheduled to meet with Volvo Cars’ chairman Li Shufu and CEO Håkan Samuelsson.

A family from Kent have devised a very special goodbye to their beloved ŠKODA this Christmas.

• The Charnleys will travel to Lapland in their ŠKODA Octavia vRS for its final journey
• The journey will take three days across Northern Europe clocking up over 4,500 miles round trip
• The Octavia has been part of the Charnley family for two years

A family from Kent have devised a very special goodbye to their beloved ŠKODA this Christmas, embarking on a 4,696 round trip to Lapland. 

Chris and Gemma Charnley and their two sons Jake (10yrs) and Euan (8yrs) will be driving from their home in Maidstone, Kent, to Lapland as a final send off for their ŠKODA Octavia vRS, which will be traded in for a new model in the New Year.

To date, the Charnleys’ Octavia vRS has played the typical role of family car, with many special memories created, including holidays to Europe, collecting their dog for the first time, and countless school runs and collections following after school activities. 

Creating a memorable trip for their boys before saying goodbye to the faithful car for a ŠKODA Superb Sportline seemed like the perfect ending.

Their adventure started at 5am on Tuesday 20^th December with a drive through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands and into Bermen, Germany, just in time to catch the traditional Christmas market. 

They will then continue on to Denmark for the first night’s stay, before a 14-hour journey from Denmark, travelling north through Sweden for a stopover before the final day towards Lapland where they will spend Christmas.

ŠKODA owner, Chris Charnley, said: “We’ve had some amazing journeys with our ŠKODA Octavia vRS and it’s been an old faithful; always performing well and ensuring we deliver our most precious goods safely at the other end. 

Our trip to Lapland will definitely be one of the most memorable. Although we are sad to see it go, we are all excited to take delivery of our new Superb Sportline in the New Year. I’ve always been impressed with the brand and can’t wait to continue making family memories with our new ŠKODA.”

Renault Pro+ is to presen.t the all-electric New Kangoo Z.E. on 13 January at the 2017 European Motor Show

• Renault Pro+ is to present the all-electric New Kangoo Z.E. on 13 January at the 2017 European Motor Show in Brussels, Belgium.
• Renault Pro+ will equip the latest Kangoo Z.E. with a new motor and battery package that will increase the model’s driving range by more than 50 per cent, from 106 miles (170km) to 168 miles (270km) NEDC. That is equivalent to 124 miles (200km) in real world driving conditions.
• The New Kangoo Z.E. will offer the longest available driving range in the small van market. 

The Kangoo Van Z.E. is a completely practical solution for environmentally-conscious business customers who have praised the driving enjoyment it delivers, as well as its carrying capacity and competitive operating costs.

This announcement to increase the range on Kangoo Z.E. follows on from Renault recently launching at the 2016 Paris Motor Show the New Renault ZOE available with a new Z.E.40 battery that increases its NEDC driving range to 250 miles (186 miles in real world driving conditions) – the longest of any mainstream electric car.

Renault is Europe’s leading manufacturer of both all-electric LCVs and passenger cars.

More information about the New Kangoo Z.E. will be provided on 13 January 2017.

McLaren previews this weekends Formula One race at Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

#14 Fernando Alonso

"Spa is an incredible circuit that definitely deserves its reputation as a legendary place to go racing. You have to have a strong package there, in terms of performance and reliability. 

More than 70 per cent of the lap is spent at full throttle, which will be a challenge in itself, but we’ve shown over the past few races that even on the circuits that statistically should be difficult for us, we’ve worked hard and surprised ourselves with our level of performance relative to our competitors.

“It’s a long lap, with two very high-speed sections and a twistier section, so we have to find the right balance between the two to get the best car set-up. We’re seeing good correlation between the data back at base and in the car on track, so I hope we can continue our momentum and get the maximum out of the weekend. 

This circuit is always a tough challenge for car and driver but if we can pull all the elements together we can enjoy a positive weekend. It won’t be an easy race, but as always we’ll be pushing for points as hard as we can.”

#22 Jenson Button

“I love Spa! Eau Rouge is one of those fabled corners that drivers and fans always talk about – but it really is that special. The feeling of the sweep uphill through the corners is just awesome, every time. 

As well as being the longest circuit on the calendar, it also has an average speed of 230km/h (143mph) so it’s pretty quick! That means it’s pretty brutal on the cars – you’re at full throttle for almost three-quarters of the lap – so all the team and drivers will be working hard to manage all the different aspects of the car and react quickly to anything that crops up during the race.

“The important thing, as always, is reliability, and because of the nature of the Spa circuit it tends to be a race of attrition. The guys and girls back at MTC and also in Sakura are working hard to keep pushing the limits of our package, and I hope we can enjoy a smooth race from that point of view. 

I’ve always loved Spa right from the early days of my career – it still feels mega with every lap you do and never fails to put a smile on my face. It’s easily one of the best circuits on the calendar and definitely one of my favourites, so let’s see what we can do – I hope we can have a solid weekend.”

CIRCUIT STATS

2015 winner	Lewis Hamilton, 43 laps, 1:23:40.387s
2015 pole position	Lewis Hamilton, 1m47.197s
2015 fastest lap	Nico Rosberg 1m52.416s (lap 34)
Name	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
First race	1950
Circuit length	7.004km/4.352 miles (longest of the season)
Distance to Turn One	265m 0.165 miles
Longest straight	2.015km/1.252 miles, from Turn One, La Source, to Turn Five, Les Combes
Top speed	345km/h/214mph, on the approach to Turn Five
Pitlane length	390m/0.242 miles, estimated time loss 22s
Full throttle	60 per cent
DRS zones	Two, on the approaches to Turns One and Five
Key corner	Turn 10, a double apex left-hander called Pouhon. The approach is downhill and fast – 300km/h (186mph) – and the entry is blind; the drivers need to demonstrate total commitment to be quick
Fastest corner	301km/h (187mph), Turn 18
Slowest corner	64km/h (40mph), Turn Two
Major changes for 2016	None, except for a few changes to the kerbs at Eau Rouge
Fuel consumption	2.3kg per lap, which is high
ERS demands	High. There are several long straights, along which energy deployment is vital, and only a couple of slow corners at which to harvest energy. An efficient ERS is imperative
Brake wear	Low. There are only nine braking events around the lap and plenty of long straights along which to cool the brakes
Gear changes	48 per lap /2,112 per race

CIRCUIT FACTS 

History lesson: 

Spa-Francorchamps is one of only four tracks on this year’s calendar to have featured on the inaugural world championship calendar in 1950. The original circuit was fast and long (14kms/8.7 miles); the modern iteration of the track (7kms/4.3 miles) was opened in 1983 and features many of the original corners such as La Source, Eau Rouge, Stavelot and Blanchimont.

What makes the track unique: 

The long straights and fast corners. There are plenty of both, which combine to produce one of the fastest average speeds of the year – 235km/h (146mph).  

Grip levels: 

Medium. The asphalt isn’t abrasive and, despite the number of high-speed corners, Pirelli is able to take some of its softer tyre compounds to the race.

Run-off: 

When the track re-opened in 1983, it was deemed to have acres of run-off. Other tracks have since caught up in terms of safety and Spa is now considered to have an average amount of run-off.

Watch out for…: 

Turns Three & Four, Eau Rouge. This high-speed flick up the side of a hill has featured on every iteration of Spa-Francorchamps’ challenging layout and it’s always been fast. The cars approach the corner at 300km/h (186mph) and they endure a 1.7g compression at the bottom before heading up the hill.

EVENT STATS

Start time	14:00hrs local/13:00hrs BST
Race distance	44 laps (full world championship points will be awarded after 75 per cent distance/33 laps)
Safety Car likelihood	High. Accidents at Spa-Francorchamps are usually high-speed and, as a result, there’s an 80 per cent chance of the Safety Car
When to press record	Qualifying laps at Spa-Francorchamps are spectacular because it’s a high-speed track and drivers need to be brave to extract the maximum from their cars. The 150mph (241.402km/h) average lap barrier could be broken in Q3 this year; the record currently stands at 149.924mph (241.279km/h), set by Jarno Trulli in 2009
Don’t put the kettle on	Whenever two cars exit La Source nose-to-tail because there’s likely to be an overtaking manoeuvre on the approach to Les Combes 20 seconds later. As for pitstop strategy in the race, the top seven drivers pitted twice last year. The first pitstops came between laps nine and 13, and the second stops came between laps 21 and 30
Weather conditions now	22 degrees
Race forecast	20 degrees with some sunshine. However, the Ardennes region of Belgium has notoriously changeable weather and the teams need to be prepared for all weather conditions
Tyre choices	Supersoft/Soft/Medium, the eighth time this season that this combination has been used at the race

EVENT FACTS

First Belgian Grand Prix: 

1950.

Slogan:

There is no official slogan for the Belgian Grand Prix, but it’s one of the most historic races in F1. It featured on the inaugural world championship calendar in 1950.

Belgium's F1 heritage: 

This is the 61st world championship Belgian Grand Prix and the 49th to be staged at Spa-Francorchamps. The track was first opened in 1921 and in ’25 it staged the European GP, which was won by Antonio Ascari, father of future world champion Alberto. The most successful Belgian driver in history is Jacky Ickx, who won eight grands prix and twice finished runner-up in the world championship standings.

Smallest winning margin:  

0.7s, in 1961. Ferrari dominated the weekend: Phil Hill took pole position, from team-mate Wolfgang von Trips, and the American then headed home a Ferrari 1-2-3-4 in the race, coming home just ahead of his German team-mate.

Sporting legacy:

Given the history surrounding the Belgian Grand Prix, the country has produced relatively few F1 stars. Only 24 drivers have contested grands prix, with just two victors – Jacky Ickx and Thierry Boutsen.

Did you know? 

It was at Spa, in 1997, that F1’s first Safety Car start took place.It's also the home race of McLaren-Honda’s reserve driver, Stoffel Vandoorne.

Don’t forget: 

In 1968 McLaren won its first grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Team founder Bruce McLaren came home 12s ahead of Pedro Rodriguez. 

Fan zone:

Jacques, aged 18, from Liege, asks: “After the three-week summer break, how challenging is it to return to business at one of the most challenging circuits in the world?”

McLaren’s answer: “Undoubtedly, Spa-Francorchamps is one of the great circuits in F1. But our preparation is the same for every race, irrespective of the challenge; the only difference for Spa is that much of the preparation work was done three weeks ago, before the factory shut-down.

#14 Fernando Alonso

“It’s time to go racing again! I’ve enjoyed the summer break, spent some time with my family in Asturias and at my kart circuit, enjoyed a break in California and managed to fit in some training too, so it’s been well spent. It’s also been a good opportunity to reflect on the first half of the year, the progress we’ve made, and channel our energy into the second half of the season. As a team, we’re getting stronger and stronger, and I’m looking forward to getting going again.

“Spa is a great challenge and the perfect venue to come to after the summer break. I feel refreshed and raring to go, and ready to take on the incredible twists and turns of this legendary track. There’s a lot to think about at this circuit: strategy, tyres, fuel, power unit management, and then there’s the weather. This is the sort of circuit that always throws up something unpredictable and there’s usually some drama during the race, so I hope we can fight hard and take advantage of any situation that comes our way.”

#22 Jenson Button

“Spa is one of those legendary classics. It fully deserves its reputation as one of the great circuits on the calendar, and it never fails to provide great racing year after year. I often stay in my motorhome next to the circuit at European races. Spa is one of those special places where the atmosphere is incredible – the fans are really passionate and flock from all over, and everyone is itching to see the F1 cars scream past them and race wheel-to-wheel after a few weeks off.

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the car. The summer break has been great – a chance to rest, recharge and spend time with friends and family. I spent most of it in the United States, but still managed to keep up with Team GB’s efforts in the Olympics – incredible! It’s been a great summer of sport and I’m hoping for more positive results as we start the second half of the season. There’s a lot to work on, but we are all pushing hard together towards the same goals, and fighting for more progress. Spa is a great place to get going again, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Eric Boullier

McLaren-Honda Racing Director

“Spa-Francorchamps is a very special race for us, for a number of reasons. It’s the venue where McLaren took its first ever grand prix win at the hands of our founder Bruce McLaren, in 1968. It’s also the home race for our reserve driver, Stoffel Vandoorne, who is sure to have a busy weekend there. Its legacy is richly deserved, a classic circuit with an impressive heritage and a track layout that’s the stuff of legends. The circuit is a huge test of both car and driver, and an incredible spectacle for the thousands of fans that travel there from all over Europe.

“The whole team has had a well-deserved break after the gruelling schedule of 12 races since the start of the season. We are now just over half way through, and ready to fight again to achieve our end-of-season goals. The midfield pack is particularly close, and each team is stronger on different circuits, so there’ll be no let-up in in how hard we push or the developments we bring to the car in our bid to continue our progress through the rest of the season and into next year.

“Together, McLaren-Honda is continuing to push hard, and everything we bring to the car – be it on the chassis or power unit side – is valuable learning for next year. We’ve enjoyed a couple of weeks away from Formula 1, but our ambition is as strong as ever, and we’re definitely ready to go racing again!”

Yusuke Hasegawa

Honda R&D Co Ltd Head of F1 Project & Executive Chief Engineer

“After a hard-earned summer break, it’s exciting to start the latter half of the season at such a magnificent track as Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. This track is as beautiful as it is challenging – probably one of the most challenging circuits on the current F1 calendar. The steep uphill of Eau Rouge to Raidillon, and the fast technical downhill to Stavelot will especially require the ultimate combination of power, car balance and driver performance.

“Though the long and power-hungry nature of Spa won’t suit us, our target for the remainder of the season is clear: to aim for championship points and take further steps forward with each race. We hope that we can continue our positive momentum that we had before the summer shutdown and look to another strong weekend in Spa.”

British Motor Heritage (BMH) is delighted to announce the addition of Anglo Parts to it's list of Approved Specialists

British Motor Heritage (BMH) is delighted to announce the addition of the multinational Anglo Parts concern to its already impressive list of Approved Specialists.

Founded in Belgium in 1982 by MG enthusiasts Chris and Bruno Van Gestel, Anglo Parts is now a significant force across Europe, with branches in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, Finland, Luxembourg and the Czech and Slovak Republics. 

As the name suggests, the company supplies ‘Quality Parts for Classic British Cars’; in particular for models of Jaguar, MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey, Mini, Land Rover Defender and the ubiquitous Morris Minor. 

In addition to its enormous stock of car spares, the company can also supply a large selection of accessories and automobilia, from engine tuning parts to flying helmets and tools to enamel signs. 

It prides itself on the speed, price and condition of its parcel deliveries, and most items ordered in the morning are delivered the following day.

Commenting on this latest appointment, BMH’s Managing Director John Yea said: 

“This union of two well established automotive companies will be mutually beneficial combining, as it does, Anglo Parts’ impressive product knowledge, market reach and extensive distribution options with BMH’s unique range of original parts and manufacturing skills. 

I am delighted at the arrangement, which greatly strengthens the European level of our global coverage.”

Details of BMH’s product range and a full list of the company’s UK and 

Caterham Cars continues it's expansion with another new dealership, this time Liege, Belgium.

British sportscar manufacturer, Caterham Cars, has strengthened its presence in Belgium with the launch of the House of Speed showroom in Liege.

Caterham’s new premises is located closer to the centre of Liege and sees pre-existing Belgian dealer, Villers Auto, join forces with Redwater Classic Cars at the considerably larger 500-square metre site.

The dealership will showcase the full European Caterham range, including the Seven 165, the Seven 275, the Seven 355 and the top of the range Seven 485. In addition to catering for new customers, House of Speed also offers Belgian customers a full after sales service, run by a dedicated team of expert Caterham technicians.

The showroom launch was celebrated over the weekend of January 9/10 for specially invited Caterham customers and members of the Belgium Seven Club, with over 200 attendees.

David Ridley, Caterham Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We’re delighted to announce the opening of the new House of Speed showroom in Belgium. Last June, we began our partnership with Villers Auto in Liege and the partnership went from strength to strength.

“With the introduction of this new facility and the revised Seven 355, we’re better equipped than ever to cater for sportscar enthusiasts in Belgium. I am looking forward to working with the team at House of Speed and taking our success even further in 2016.”

Caterham Cars House of Speed is located on Avenue Deponthière, 60 4431 Loncin.

McLaren previews this weekend's F1 race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium

2015 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX PREVIEW

Round 11/19 21-23 August 2015 #BelgianGP #McLarenLIVE

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps snapshot

Fernando Alonso "After the long summer break, I can't wait to get into the car in Spa and go racing again. Hungary was a positive race for us but we know Spa will be challenging on a number of levels, so we'll be pushing to get the most out of the weekend." Jenson Button "I've really enjoyed the holidays, but I'm keen to get back in the car. Spa is an incredible circuit - every single lap feels sensational - so I'm looking forward to enjoying myself this weekend." Circuit lowdown Few circuits are more revered than the mighty Spa-Francorchamps. The track has been synonymous with Formula 1 for more than 60 years, and, with an average speed of 230km/h (143mph), it's breathtakingly fast. At more than 7km, the undulating circuit is the longest on the 2015 calendar. However, the existing layout is only half the length of the original design, which featured in the inaugural world championship of 1950. The current track - opened in 1983 - retains much of the original high-speed challenge, as well as many of the iconic corners like La Source, Eau Rouge and Blanchimont. More than 70 per cent of the lap is spent at full throttle, which places an emphasis on the power unit and on the car's aerodynamic efficiency. There is also the unique situation of the machinery having to cope with a 1.7g compression at the bottom of Eau Rouge, which can prove a test of reliability over the 44-lap race distance. The weather forecast is notoriously unreliable in the Ardennes region of Belgium. Temperatures of around 20 degrees are expected, but it's harder to predict the chance and the location of the rain. If wet weather comes it can affect only one section of the track - often several miles from the pitlane - which creates considerable strategic challenges. In the event of dry conditions, the drivers have Pirelli's Soft (Option) and Medium (Prime) tyres at their disposal. These are the same compounds that were used at last year's race, when two pitstops were the norm for most cars. Should a Safety Car appear early in the race, a one-stop strategy is also possible. McLaren has an indelible link with Spa-Francorchamps because it was here, in 1968, that the team won its first world championship grand prix. The team now has a total of 14 wins on Belgian soil, the most recent victory coming in 2012.

Facts & figures

It's all about: the race Start time 1400 (local)/1200 (GMT) Race distance 44 laps (full world championship points awarded after 75% distance/33 laps) 2014 winner Daniel Ricciardo 2014 pole position Nico Rosberg 2m05.591s 200.766km/h (wet) 2014 fastest lap Nico Rosberg 1m50.511s 228.162km/h Safety Car likelihood Chances of a Safety Car High. There's an 80 per cent chance that the Safety Car will appear in Sunday's race - that's largely due to accidents at Spa occurring at high-speed Don't put the kettle on The start, when new FIA rules mean there will be more input from the drivers; and laps 13 and 28. Last year's race was won with a two-stop strategy and, changeable weather aside, the same looks likely in 2015 Weather forecast Changeable. Spa-Francorchamps is located in the Ardennes Mountains, which have a notoriously fickle microclimate It's all about: the track First race 1950 Circuit length 7.004km/4.352 miles Run to Turn One 265 metres Longest straight 2.015km, from La Source to Turn 5, Les Combes Top speed 322km/h on the approach to Turn 5 DRS zones Two - on the approach to Turn 1 and, again, on the approach to Turn 5 Key corner Turn 10, a 180-degree double-apex left-hander. The entry is fast (294km/h) and blind, and the drivers need to be totally committed in order to be fast Pitlane length 390 metres, which is quite long. The time loss isn't that great because the cars staying on-track have to negotiate the La Source Hairpin Major changes for 2015 None It's all about: the car Fuel consumption 3.35kg per lap, which is high Full throttle 70% Brake wear Low. There are only nine braking events around the lap Gear changes 48 per lap/2112 per race

Did you know? Heavy rain prior to the start of the 1997 Belgian Grand Prix resulted in F1's first ever Safety Car start. Technical words of wisdom Matt Morris, director of engineering "Spa-Francorchamps is one of the classic old-school circuits. It's long; it's undulating and it's high-speed - all of which combines to make it one of the great challenges on the calendar. There are two high-speed sectors, in which there are long periods of full throttle, and one twistier sector. Car set-up is therefore a compromise between straight-line speed and cornering grip, and getting that balance right is a challenge. "This is also a race at which you need to think on your feet because the weather is notoriously unpredictable. The conditions can change very quickly, which usually spices things up!" Our most memorable Belgian Grand Prix: 1968 The 1968 season started well for McLaren. Denny Hulme scored the team's first podium at the Spanish Grand Prix and everyone arrived at Spa-Francorchamps hoping to be competitive. Adding to the feeling of optimism was Hulme's performance in the Indianapolis 500 the preceding weekend. ‘The Bear' finished fourth in the 500 and he arrived in Belgium feeling bullish about the team's chances. He qualified fifth and Bruce McLaren sixth. The race highlighted the demanding nature of the original 14km Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Brian Redman had a horrifying accident on lap seven and a spate of reliability issues shaped the remainder of the 28-lap race. Hulme enjoyed a dice for the lead with Jackie Stewart, until he was slowed by a driveshaft problem. Stewart than ran out of fuel on the penultimate lap, handing a victory to Bruce McLaren - the last of his illustrious career, but the first for his team.

McLaren at the Belgian Grand Prix

Wins 14 (1968, 1974, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2012) Poles 11 (1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2012) Fastest laps 8 (1974, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1999, 2004, 2010)

Team talk #14 Fernando Alonso Age 34 (July 29 1981) GPs 243 Wins 32 Poles 22 Fastest laps 21 Best result in Belgium 2nd (2005)

"It feels great to be back. I enjoyed a relaxing break over the summer shutdown, but I also trained hard and I feel in the best shape to start the second half of the year. After Hungary, we were all really encouraged by the outcome; although we were fortunate to have had some good luck, we still battled hard and finished the race with a positive result. "Spa will be tricky for us, due to the configuration of a track that requires power, downforce and a big chunk of the lap spent at full throttle. But, from a driver's perspective it's a spectacular circuit and the fans there also make it a truly special place. It's a place at which I won when I was in Formula 3000, but never in Formula 1. I've enjoyed some really exciting battles there, and I'm looking forward to this weekend for some more. "The next few races will be important for us: we need to continue our forward momentum, and, with the addition of some tweaks to the car and power unit, we will be looking for more progress and good correlation between the simulator and our on-track performance. That might not necessarily appear above the surface in either Spa or Monza, but we'll keep pushing development forward at each race."

#22 Jenson Button Age 35 (January 19 1980) GPs 275 Wins 15 Poles 8 Fastest laps 8 Best result in Belgium 1st (2012)

"What a place to resume the second half of the season! It's such a great place to come to after the break - Spa is a circuit I've always loved right from the start of my racing career, and every lap around this incredibly special circuit is still hugely exciting and puts a massive grin on my face. It's genuinely a circuit like no other. "I'm really looking forward to getting back into the car and seeing where we stand among our nearest competitors. We can't pretend that we're expecting a huge jump forward in performance - especially at this circuit, as it doesn't suit our car's characteristics - but, after the break, I'm feeling refreshed, positive, and ready to continue the solid progress we've made so far. "I love Spa, I won there back in 2012, and, even when I'm not battling for the lead, I really enjoy the racing there as it usually produces fantastic grands prix. It's a privilege as a Formula 1 driver to be able to go to the circuit in the morning, get in the car, and race through some of the most legendary corners in motorsport."

Eric Boullier Racing director, McLaren-Honda "After a well-deserved summer break for the whole team, we're all ready and raring to go at the start of the second half of the season. We had an encouraging race in Hungary leading into the summer break, and we now feel refreshed and determined to continue improving our form as the rest of the season progresses. "We've persevered through some tough moments, but the positivity and steadfast commitment to McLaren-Honda's future success are evident in every single member of this team. Our drivers, too, have been unwavering in their support and are working hard to keep pushing us forward, extracting the maximum from the package at every opportunity. We're also incredibly grateful for the support of our partners, who are incredibly loyal, and who are united behind our development programme. In the second half of the season, our fight towards the front will continue, and we'll work hard to build on our steady, solid progress in pursuit of performance. "Spa is a truly spectacular circuit - arguably the best on the calendar for many - but, given the unique power and downforce package required, the track won't play to our strengths. Therefore, of course, we must be measured in our optimism, and we will need to wait for Singapore and beyond before we can see the fruits of our labours reflected on track." Yasuhisa Arai Honda R&D senior managing officer - chief officer of motorsport "After a well-deserved and positive result in Hungary, the summer break was good rest for the trackside team, while Sakura continued on with the power unit development. "As we planned, Honda has updated our combustion characteristics to further improve our power units for Spa and the second half of the season. This weekend's free practices will be important to test the pairing of the power units to the cars. The Belgian race, however, will surely be a difficult one for the team and drivers, with expected grid penalties and a long and unforgiving power circuit. "Nevertheless, McLaren-Honda's focus is to improve race by race. We know we can learn a lot from the circuit for immediate future, and hope that we can come out of the weekend with some positives."