Jenson Button heads to one of the greatest racetracks in the world this weekend, keen to repeat his stunning victory at the Hungaroring last month. The venue is Spa-Francorchamps, which is the longest circuit on the Formula One calendar, as well as one of the most demanding.
"Every driver loves the challenge of Spa," says Jenson. "It's one of the old-school circuits: very high speed and fast-flowing. You don't have to react as quickly as you do at Suzuka because there aren't the same high-speed changes of direction, but it's still a phenomenal challenge. It's a great feeling when you put together a good lap."
The McLaren MP4-26 has won three of the last five races, on a mix of low and high downforce circuits, and Jenson is confident that the car will be competitive in medium downforce trim this weekend.
"I hope we'll be competitive at every track from now on," says Jenson. "But I think the car will be particularly good at Spa for a couple of reasons: first, our new rear wing should work well and, second, you need a good engine, which we've got in the Mercedes. I'm sure we'll be one of the teams to beat."
Spa's already daunting corners such as Eau Rouge, Pouhon and Blanchimont will be made even tougher this year by the Drag Reduction System (DRS). Will the drivers activate it through these 180mph-plus corners during qualifying?
"I don't know what we're going to be doing with DRS," says Jenson. "I won't be the first person trying it through Eau Rouge, that's for sure. But someone will try it because there are lots of potential gains up the hill to Les Combes.
"Through Pouhon, you'll probably do a bit of both. You'll need maximum downforce to get the car into the first apex, before flicking the DRS open for the remainder of the corner to increase your exit speed. Blanchimont will be touch-and-go as well, so there's going to be a lot to think about!"
The weather will most likely add to the list of unknowns because the Ardennes region of Belgium is notorious for its microclimate. It usually rains at some point during the race weekend.
"Rain isn't the problem," says Jenson. "It's the fact that it can be wet at one point on the track and dry at another. You then have to make the call about whether or not to pit for intermediate tyres, or stay out on slicks – just like we did in Hungary. Strategy often goes out the window when it's like that; you find yourself having to think on your feet."
Such is the intensity of racing at Spa-Francorchamps that Jenson, like all of the drivers on the grid, will need to get straight up to speed following the four-week summer break.
"I don't think there's any danger of people still being in holiday mode," says Jenson. "This is F1! But the whole team deserved to have a break after Hungary. When you think how hard
everyone has worked this year, and how much we've turned around the performance of the MP4-26, it was good for everyone to have some time with their families and friends.
"I went to Hawaii, which is one of my favourite places in the world. The weather was fantastic and I had a great time for 10 days, even though I had to take some time out to write a speech because I was Best Man at a friend's wedding straight afterwards. All in all, it was a great break, but I'm now ready to go racing again. Four weeks out of the car is a long time."
What better way for Jenson to start the back end of the world championship than with win number three of 2011?