Pizzonia Looking Forward to 'Special' Spa Race

Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia is looking forward to the Belgian Grand Prix as he will once again drive for Williams at the Spa race after Ralf Schumacher failed to recover from injury.

German Schumacher has been sidelined with a back injury since the United States Grand Prix in June when he crashed heavily into a wall at Indianapolis. Pizzonia replaced Schumacher in the last two races, scoring seventh-place finishes in Germany and Hungary, and will continue alongside Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya in Belgium on August 29.

"I have good memories of Spa, where I've raced four times in different formulae, including Formula Renault, F3 and F3000," said Pizzonia. "Spa is a very special place, so I can't wait to drive a Formula One car around it.

"I don't think Eau Rouge is as challenging as it used to be, though, because Formula One cars have so changed much. We have such a huge amount of downforce now, and the tyres have improved so much, I think everyone pretty much goes flat out around it."

Spanish test driver Marc Gene had initially been pencilled in to deputise for Schumacher but failed to score points in the French and British Grands Prix. Williams are fourth in the Constructors' Championship with 54 points, although Ferrari have already been crowned champions having amassed 202 points.