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Good stuff Mr Walker. I too share your love of Spa. I happen to think that spa is the REAL jewel in the F1 crown. When I was a kid (and to some extent, even now) Monaco was always the one "they" talked about, but Spa is the true racers circuit. Technical, challenging, very beautiful and its got a little bit of everything thrown in for good measure....chicanes, fast straights, slow corners, fast corners. Beautiful circuit.

If anything, I think Monaco is a gimmick compared to Spa.

Thanks for your thoughts Murray.

It would appear that there has also been talk that it will be a Red Bull circuit due to the high speed corners. If that is so I would put Webber up there.

Either way lets hope for some changeable conditions adn we shall have a great race unlike Valencia which isn't great, lets face it.

Just because Red Bulls engines might blow up doen't mean that they wont contend for the win, in bad weather or good weather, because the track is fast, therefore it suits their car more than many other tracks and Brawn. However Mclaren, specifically Lewis will be the ones to beat, as you say murray because of the Kers boost down those long straights.

Having said that, due to the unpredictable weather its anybody's guess who will be victorious, Force India could spring a suprise......

Its always an absolute joy to hear dear Murray's views and he is a genuine legend in my eyes, how on earth he hasnt been knighted is beyond me. I doubt there is a more passionate and professional spectator/commentator anywhere in the world.
Long may you continue Mr Walker.

Spa is always a treat to watch, I can't say Monaco is really a good race, and Valencia didn't really have me on the edge of my seat, but Spa is one to watch. A combination of the circuit and the weather combine to separate the truly great drivers from the journeymen of formula one. Over the years I think Spa has always delivered in terms of entertainment, where outright speed and ability make more impact than cleaver pit stop strategies.

who will win, all I can say is it will not be a Torro Rosso,
Kimi? Lewis? Jensen? Sebastian? Mark? not forgetting Fernando or maybe even Reubens again. Whoever gets the top step, I hope for a good afternoons racing.

Oh how i would love to sit down and chat with you whilst watching F1, your just amazing! lol.

Best track by miles, lasy years race end was increable!!!
best memory has to be MS hitting DC!!!

I really hope your right that its between Button and Hamilton. That was the talk of Valencia, but it never happened. Hopefully Button can do well, and the other 3 contender's can find the pace.

I have to agree with Riggadon above, while I can see the appeal of Monaco, and would love to have a blast around the streets, I would most of all love to have the opportunity to race at Spa. Without doubt, THE best track of the season.

and nigel mansell has won the shell oils grand prix of europe

He is EXULTANT
He is EXUBARANT
And he's got every justification to be

Nice one Mr W , Spot on as allways , Does make you wonder , When ( most ) people agree that Spa is a truly great track why is it that when they design new ones they seem to ignore the lessons that tracks like this can teach them ? . If we can see this how come they cant ? . .

Nice to hear your view's Murry. I agree with most comments here that Spa really is a driver's circuit and it is the best of them all. I too like Suzuka and I heard it's back, can anyone confirm.....

You know what. I have to agree with you completely on everything you said. Yet, it's the most unpredictable season I've ever seen as no one up the front (championship wise and slightly race wise) is new and unknown.

Button vs Hamilton at the front would be awesome but I'll believe it when I see it. The Red Bulls will surely be in the mixer as well.

Great to hear from you Murray as always. I am curious as to why you are writing off Red Bull, surely it can't be on reliability alone can it? Personally I am hoping that Jenson has his mojo back for this race I would love to see him and Lewis fighting it out at the front.

Hey Murray

You really think it will only be between Button and Hamilton? Personally I think if it's cold/wet then it will be a dominating win by Vettel.

Also, when will 'Your questions answered' be posted?

Spot on about Spa, truly a great circuit. Whatever happens this weekend you can bet that it won't be a boring race.

I agree, Spa is an awesome circuit - there's only one thing missing - that distinctive, enthusiastic and frankly irreplacebale voice. "Go go go" Murray!

We need Murray back on the commentary team. It's not bad as it is, but it's nowhere near as epic.

I think Lewis, Jenson, and Kimi will make the podium. Wouldn't want to guess an order, though it would be nice if Kimi won since he's been pretty average since winning his world title.

Whether we are old school or not Murray Spa is a proper motor racing test and why Howard Tike or is is tight can't design a track with Spa like character somewhere is beyond me.If it is impossible why not use the contours of the road in other countries to produce sweeps,steep gradients.fast corners and chicanes that challenge the very best.Every F1 driver liked Silverstone and was yet again a challenge but Bernie had had enough of waiting for the infrasructure to materialise so we lost a famous challenging race track.Here is my argument I have been to Spa numerous times the facilities are sparse it can be very muddy the stalls are antiquated and the setting is basic.If you like your frittes and beer your ok anything else is strictly pants but the racing circuit is fantastic if Bernie said we would have to return to Zolder my frittes would be thrown up in the air.Anyway aren't their any other designers apart from Howard Tight!

As a very young boy I had the great experience of seing my first Grand Prix and it was at Spa the Belgian Grand Prix ( I believe 1965 ). Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark crashed on the first lap. There were less than 10 racers left but it ended out to be an amazing race between John Surtees and the Swede Jochem Rindt. Surtees passed Rindt with about 4 laps left to take the win. I fully agree after visiting many venues my favourite track is the Spa.
JP

Couldn't agree more about Spa it is the jewel in the Formula 1 crown and let's not forget that Bernie tried to stop using it not that long ago. The best thing for Formula 1 would be to get rid of Bernie and keep Spa a far better solution. If the weather is it's usual unpredictable self then all the balls will be thrown up in the air. Great stuff.

unonemero i think that desinger dude you are referring to is Herman Tilke!!!

The only thing I hate about Spa is that it is only 40 or so laps. I know its the regulations controlling the distance but when you are looking at lap times and how people are catching each other up you always wish there were 20 more laps for the action to unfold over.

One of the best circuits ever which I place along Monza, Imola, Mexico (Circuito Hermanos Rodriguez), Fuji and the old Hockenheim (less the post Senna chicanes)

Street circuits just don't cut it and with the difficulties we still have in overtaking both Monaco and Valencia are basically farces where the stratgey is overtake in the pits. I have been a fan for many years but gave up watching processions in the mid 90s. Its better now but the demise of re-fuelling will bring processions back I fear.

Hi Murray! Do you think that Giancarlo Fisichella will move to a different team next year?