• Belgian Grand Prix

Rubens looking forward to landmark race

Rubens Barrichello is looking forward to his 300th race in Formula One © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Belgian Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Rubens Barrichello

• Teams:
• Williams

Rubens Barrichello is looking forward to celebrating a special milestone at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit when Formula One returns to Belgium.

Not only did Barrichello take his first pole position at the circuit, he will also celebrate his 300th race in Formula One this weekend.

"Spa is a great racing circuit. I took my first pole there and have won at Spa while racing in the lower categories so I'm looking forward to it," said Barrichello. "This race will be my 300th in Formula One. I feel very privileged to have been in the sport for such a long time and it feels great to reach this milestone. I still think I am at the top of my game and plan to continue being competitive long past my 300th GP!"

Barrichello said that he expects the medium to low downforce nature of the circuit to provide plenty of overtaking opportunities and exciting racing.

"It's always a challenging track and I imagine it will be even more so now we are carrying full tanks. It can be quite tricky in terms of car set-up because it's so long, and you need to have a car fast enough to take on corners like La Source and Eau Rouge. It really all depends on the aero efficiency of the car as to what your lap time is. Drivers tend to go for quite different downforce levels at Spa so there's always opportunities chance to overtake."

Technical director Sam Michael will be hoping that some new upgrades to the FW32 will help the team make up ground on its rivals this weekend.

"Spa is a real driver's circuit and one of the greatest layouts we have on the calendar," said Michael. "We will have new front and rear wings, plus some mechanical changes for the FW32 for this race. We're also looking forward to celebrating Rubens' 300 Grand Prix in Belgium, an impressive achievement!"

Williams lies seventh in the constructors' standings, just seven points behind Force India.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.