F1 heads straight from Britain to Belgium

[The Stig]

For the first time in two years, the F1 circus is now on its way to the famous Spa Francorchamps circuit.

The 2007 Belgian Grand Prix is not until the middle of September, but - even with an arduous European double header only just concluded - every team is scheduled to test at the circuit for the very first time over three days this week.

Referring to Spa, to host the pinnacle of motorsport from Tuesday, Bridgestone's Kees van de Grint said at Silverstone on Sunday: "There is new tarmac down, as well as a new layout. We haven't been there since 2005 so I am very much looking forward to this test."
F1's usual July test venue is the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain.
But the Spa layout has been slightly modified since the 2005 race - the last time it hosted a Grand Prix - to accommodate a new paddock and pit complex, including a revised Bus Stop chicane. 

One of the main talking points at the session will be the final evaluation by Toro Rosso of Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais, who flies straight to Belgium from a race in Toronto.

The Frenchman said this weekend: "It's going to be their last opportunity to evaluate me so, from there, we'll see what they think. There's just too much speculation. I'm just getting tired already of it before I even get close to it."