Schumacher to be second driver in the 300-race club

Michael Schumacher said he is hoping to celebrate his 300th Grand Prix in style next weekend with a strong performance for Mercedes at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Michael Schumacher said he is hoping to celebrate his 300th Grand Prix in style next weekend with a strong performance for Mercedes at the Belgian Grand Prix.

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Despite some strong drives this season, including a podium finish at the European Grand Prix, his first since rejoining the sport in 2010, the 43-year-old German has endured a tough start to the season, retiring from six of the first 10 races.

However, the seven-times champion is convinced a combination of his knowledge of the high-speed Spa Francorchamps track and improvements to his car will help him secure a good result next weekend.

"Spa is like my living room; for me, it's clearly the number one race track in the world," said Schumacher, who will become the second driver in history, after Rubens Barrichello, to compete in 300 grands prix.

"It's uncanny how I always seem to have special moments there - my debut, my first win, a world championship victory and many great races.

"The fact that I will also take part in my 300th grand prix at Spa was somehow almost inevitable and we will have to celebrate it in the right way. I'm proud to be just the second driver in the history of the sport to reach this milestone and there's no question that we are looking to have a particularly nice weekend.

"We delivered a good performance in Spa last year; I'll be doing everything possible to drive a strong race."