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Sebastian Vettel expects this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix to be one of Red Bull’s more difficult races, but is hopeful the team will muster a strong performance nonetheless.

Sectors one and three of the 4.35-mile Spa-Francorchamps circuit are long flat-out blasts, putting the emphasis on raw power and low drag – and in this department Red Bull’s Renault-powered car has been outclassed by the McLaren-Mercedes in particular this season.

Conversely, however, the sweeping medium- and high-speed corners in the middle valley section of the circuit are all about downforce and chassis balance, and should suit the RB6 to perfection.

Vettel admits to some concerns about straightline speed, but reckons that the middle sector should bring Red Bull right into play – and in any event says he can’t wait to get his teeth into the classic Ardennes circuit.

“I love Spa, it has some of the best corner sections in Formula 1; they’re long, fast-flowing and suit our car,” said the German.

“We were very competitive in the race there last year, but we lost out in qualifying a bit.

“Our weakness will be the long straights and, with uphill sections too, we know it won’t be easy for us, but I am optimistic for the race.”

Team-mate Mark Webber, who reclaimed the championship lead with his fourth victory of the season last time out in Hungary, is also relishing his re-acquaintance with Spa.

And while he doesn’t expect Red Bull to be as dominant as it was in Budapest – where it trounced the opposition by more than a second in qualifying – he is confident the RB6 will be right on the front-running pace.

“I don’t think there is a driver on the grid that doesn’t look forward to Spa, it’s an incredible circuit to drive on,” said Webber.

“I expect we can do well there, whether it’s as well as I did in Budapest is a question for everyone, but I know our team is ready.”ITV-F1