Grapevine: Final News from the Paddock - Belgian GP

Freudian Slip

David Richards may have given a small insight into his thinking regarding his 2005 driver line-up this weekend as he prepares to face the loss of Briton Jenson Button. With a decision over the contract wrangle with driver Jenson Button expected to be concluded in the next week, Richards was asked by Italy's Gazzetta Dello Sport about his thoughts about next season. His answer came all too easily as he declared himself very happy with his driver line-up of David Coulthard and Takuma Sato. Now all that awaits is that formal announcement in due course!

Toyota Eye View

Toyota Europe bought all of the seats in a small grandstand at the Eau Rouge corner at Spa this weekend to ensure the team, based a short distance across the German border in Spa, got the best possible view of the cars. Unfortunately, however, the workers were faced with an opening-day disaster when rather than speeding through the 290kph corner flat-out, their pride and joy was seen sliding towards the barriers in Friday's second free practice session as Australian third driver Ryan Briscoe lost control.

Those braving the persistent rain during Saturday's brief 15-minute session got a second close-up glimpse when Olivier Panis slid off the wet track and into the gravel. Just as the crane came in to remove his car, the Frenchman found reverse and negotiated his way back onto the track, much to the delight of those sat under umbrellas.

Eddie's Quick Piss-Stop

Eddie Jordan decided to make a quick piss-stop on his way out of the paddock on Saturday evening, when he had a splash-and-dash at the side of his own motorhome. Having enjoyed an evening of hospitality with his own team, Jordan was caught short on his way out and decided on a quick toilet break - inside of the paddock, despite having facilities in his motorhome just 20-metres walk away. He also had a quick trip across the road to Minardi to berate good friend Paul Stoddart about his team's performance in qualifying.

Wet Practice

It was hard not to notice the 20 hours of solid rain at Spa-Francorchamps but the organisers were determined to make sure all the drivers in the Porsche Supercup knew that that the Saturday morning practice would be a "wet session". They were kindly informed of the track conditions, by a soaked marshal, as they came onto the circuit when the marshal stood at the pitlane exit and dressed in waterproof material and held a board displaying the helpful message "wet practice" as the drivers came out with rain pounding off their windscreens.