Ferrari congratulate Barrichello for milestone

Ferrari has congratulated its former driver Rubens Barrichello for notching up his milestone 300th Grand Prix this weekend in Belgium.

The veteran Brazilian drove for the Maranello based team between 2000 and 2005, although he often looks back ruefully at the time spent as number two to Michael Schumacher.

But Ferrari's current team boss Stefano Domenicali said 300 career races, to be achieved at the wheel of a Williams at Spa-Francorchamps, is a "remarkable achievement" for the 38-year-old.

"He was part of our team when it was living through a great period in its history and he made a very significant contribution to our success at that time," added the Italian.

Since 1993, Barrichello has also driven for Jordan, Stewart and Brawn, although 9 of his 11 victories were at the wheel of a Ferrari.

"I feel very privileged to have been in the sport for such a long time and it feels great to reach this milestone," said Barrichello, who so far has contested 44 races more than Riccardo Patrese's impressive previous record.

"I still think I am at the top of my game and plan to continue being competitive long past my 300th," he added.

Source: Motorsport

Spa to re-open next week after tunnel collapse

Spa-Francorchamps will re-open at the end of next week, after an access tunnel beneath the Belgian GP venue collapsed in late March.

The circuit was closed after the collapse - which occurred near the famous Blanchimont corner - so that reported damage to the run-off area, guard rails and cracks in the track surface could be repaired.

The Belgian newspaper De Morgen reports that Spa is still closed, but will re-open after repair works are completed by next Thursday.

Races at the circuit, scheduled to host the 2010 Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August, will then be held next weekend.

Source: Motorsport