Hamilton refreshed after Formula 1 summer break for Belgian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton, odds-on at 8/13 with Coral to win the Belgian Grand Prix will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last year when Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg ran into the back of his car puncturing the Brit’s rear tyre on the second lap.

Rosberg recovered from the incident to finish in second, extending his Championship lead to 29 points in the process, while Hamilton eventually retired.

Following a summer break, all in the Formula 1 community return, with the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium playing host. Hamilton currently leads the standings on 202 points, while Rosberg on 181 points is in second.

Hamilton, who has spent time holidaying in Barbados and New York during the break, is refreshed and looking forward to getting back on the track.

“It’s been good to take a break from racing and spend some time relaxing, training and recharging the batteries. There’s always that flame in the back of your mind that just wants to get back out there and get on it – especially after a race like Hungary,” Hamilton said.

“Spa is a great track to kick off the second part of the season too. It’s one of the really great, old-school circuits with so much history. It’s mostly medium to high speed corners, so you’re pretty much pedal-to-the-metal the whole way round which is a lot of fun.

“It’s always special to come out on top at a classic race like this so I remember winning here well. I love this track and I’ll be gunning for that top spot again.”

Rosberg is 12/5 to better his 2014 finish and has said that he was disappointed with his performance last time out in Hungary.

“Hungary was a big disappointment and I’ve been itching to get back to racing ever since. When you’re in such a close battle for the Championship, any opportunity to gain points is crucial and it’s up to me to take those chances – but also to make them for myself. That’s definitely the target for the second half of the year,” Rosberg said.

“We’re only halfway through the season, so it’s all still to play for. Spa is a fantastic circuit – a track that I think every driver enjoys and one that always produces spectacular racing. I’m looking forward to it.”

German Sebastian Vettel is snapping at his compatriot’s heels in the Championship race, on 160 points and has looked good in his Ferrari this season. He is 10/1 to win in Belgium, while teammate Kimi Raikkonen has received a huge boost from chief Mario Andretti who has urged the constructor to retain the Finnish driver for 2016.

He is very well-priced at 11/10 to secure a podium finish and has looked impressive this year.