Belgian GP inside line
Spa-Francorchamps, Michael Schumacher's favourite circuit, title number seven there for the taking. The result should be a foregone conclusion. Schumacher will start this race such a strong favourite that 2-7, I'd suggest, is really not that bad
But, okay, if it doesn't set the pulses racing, you should have a careful think about where we are. This is Spa, where a weekend without rain is the exception rather than the rule. Granted, it doesn't really help a lot. Although we haven't seen how much progress the Michelin wets have made, the smart money would be on Bridgestone having an advantage in 'proper' wet conditions. So Michael and Rubens will be strong come rain or shine.
So, look at this as one of those potential venues for a one-off further back. Like Brazil last year, when Fisichella 'won' for Jordan. The only problem with betting on the other Bridgestone runners for a podium in the event of rain, is that Spa is actually one of the quickest drying surfaces anywhere. Remember Schumacher, on slicks, outbraking Damon Hill on grooved tyres on a wet track in '95? If you don't, it was only made possible by the surface drying so quickly, a factor that Schumacher was well aware of. So the question is: will it be wet enough for the likes of Giancarlo Fisichella and Nick Heidfeld to make progress?
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Maybe not. Which is why Kimi Raikkonen, 10-1 for a win, might attract your coin. In wet/dry conditions that don't actually need a change to a full wet, Michelin looks good. And before McLaren's tyre faux pas at the last race, Raikkonen was looking more and more convincing. So, perhaps, an each-way bet on Kimi is worth a look - you get one third of the odds, but only if he finishes in the top two, not the top three.
But for those of you who can't resist the long shot, go for Fisichella for a podium at 25-1 or Nick Heidfeld at 200-1. And, keep faith with Mike Gascoyne's new Toyota for points. Spa will suit the car's strengths much more than Hungaroring.
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