We should not lower our aims - Alonso

The ING Renault F1 Team prepares for round thirteen of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship: the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Fernando Alonso is already looking forward to this exceptional circuit on the F1 calendar.

"I knew that my weekend would be difficult after qualifying - starting so far down the field on a street circuit is never where you want to be. I was hit on the first lap and lost my rear wing. My mechanics did everything to try and get me back out, but my race was already compromised. I'm disappointed not to have been able to drive in front of my supporters as I wanted to give them a special race, but that's in the past now and I am looking forward to the race in Belgium."

"Spa is one of those exceptional circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. Like all the older circuits, there is always a very special and warm atmosphere. For the drivers, Spa is an unbelievable challenge and is a very enjoyable place to drive a Formula 1 car. I have never won at Spa and hope that one day I can add a win here to my list of achievements."

"It's a very long circuit, which generally emphasises the gaps between the cars. It requires a very complete car and so we will have to work hard on the set-up to make sure we are competitive in the quick sections as well as in the slower corners. The compression in Eau Rouge is still an impressive part of the circuit."

"Even though the European Grand Prix turned out to be a race to forget, we should not lower our aims. I am sure that the team is giving 100% to achieve our objective and I will also give my maximum to try and get a strong result and score some points. At the beginning of the season things were not easy, but we have improved and we are determined to continue in this direction."