Schuey desperate for victory

Spa is the five-times champion's favourite circuit and despite winning the race five times (he has crossed the line first six times but was disqualified in 1994) his pole position here was his first at the track.

Schumacher apparently warned Minardi driver Mark Webber that he intended to really cut loose and use the Ferrari F2002 to its full potential, which might give the Minardis a problem in qualifying. In fact, Webber and team mate Anthony Davidson made the race comfortably but it was a signal of intent from the Ferrari team leader.

Schumacher has achieved a lot of personal milestones at Spa. He made his F1 debut in Belgium in 1991, won his first race at the track a year later and a win in this year's race would see him establish another record - 10 wins in a single season.

Perhaps the strongest hint that Michael would be free to win came after qualifying when Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt said: "In terms of the battle for second place in the drivers' championship, Rubens is in a favourable situation given that his rivals (Ralf Schumacher, Juan Montoya and David Coulthard) are all behind him on the grid."