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Schumacher targets strong result at 300th GP

Michael Schumacher's first race was also at Spa Francorchamps © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Belgian Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Michael Schumacher is hoping for a strong result to mark his 300th grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps next weekend.

Schumacher started his career at the Belgian circuit back in 1991 when he was drafted in to replace Bertrand Gachot at Jordan. He went on to take his first victory at the circuit a year later before going on to win a further five Belgian Grands Prix in his career.

Next weekend's race will see Schumacher become only the second driver (alongside Rubens Barrichello) to take part in 300 grand prix weekends and the seven-time champion is hoping for a good result.

"Spa is like my living room; for me, it's clearly the number one race track in the world," he said. "It's uncanny how I always seem to have special moments there - my debut, my first win, a world championship victory and many great races.

"The fact that I will also take part in my 300th grand prix at Spa was somehow almost inevitable and we will have to celebrate it in the right way. I'm proud to be just the second driver in the history of the sport to reach this milestone and there's no question that we are looking to have a particularly nice weekend. We delivered a good performance in Spa last year; I'll be doing everything possible to drive a strong race."

Last year Schumacher drove from last on the grid to fifth in the race at Spa and Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn is hoping for another strong weekend this year.

"For the second year in succession, Spa will be a special occasion for Michael and the team as we follow his 20th anniversary last year by celebrating his 300th Grand Prix this time around," he said. "It is a fantastic achievement which has so far only been matched by one other driver, and we look forward to celebrating with him, and hopefully a strong weekend."

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