Grapevine: News from the Paddock - Belgian GP

Misplaced Driver

Australian Mark Webber found himself misplaced on Friday morning when he took part in a live link-up with the Sky Digital+ channel. The Minardi driver, who is tipped to move to Jaguar in place of Ulsterman Eddie Irvine next season, was preparing to go out in his back-of-the-grid machine for the delayed morning practice when the presenter began the interview with the line: "Now, let's go over to Mark Webber in the Jaguar garage." Taken aback, but quick on the draw, the calm Aussie, wearing the Sky headphones, immediately replied: "I'm not in the Jaguar garage, I'm still in the Minardi garage, mate." Not for long though.

Bad Memories/Good Memories

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve is well known for his 'ballsy' driving, but the British American Racing star has gone one step further at Spa this year - by claiming crashes from the past spur him on. "I love the track," he said, before adding: "I have got memories of big crashes at Spa and actually I have never had a good race there." So, it seems, bad memories are what drive Villeneuve's mind to race harder - and that has made him so relaxed about the daunting circuit that he described it before the event as "like driving to your house in the mountains."

Space-Aged Schu

As if Michael Schumacher didn't know exactly where he is going around every Grand Prix track on the calendar - he is set to be helped in his quest for further glory by a helmet fitted with GPS navigation. His helmet manufacturer, Schuberth, has developed a 'laser helmet' that can calculate his position using a sensor in the shell of the helmet. That means that now he can save the co-ordinates of any lap he requires and then re-play it again and again on his visor. The ideal line is beamed onto the visor through the help of micro-crystals and lasers and positioned perfectly wherever Schumacher moves his head. He will not use it for racing yet - but it is debatable whether such a driver aid would be allowed into the sport.

Toyota Tribute

Toyota paid tribute to their departing drivers Scot Allan McNish and Finn Mika Salo on the opening day of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend - by throwing a big party at the Spa casino. The event, with open attendance for all members of the Grand Prix media, commenced with a long speech about Toyota's marketing aims in Europe that ended with 'Thank You' displayed on a banner in the huge round room - but neither driver, of course, was there to take their somewhat hollow offer. The meal continued late into the night, and ended with departing guests being handed small models of this year's Toyota. Clearly the team had a lot of 'old stock' to get rid of.