The greatest track on the calendar signals the return of F1 after the summer break. Usually the thought of a seven-time Drivers’ Champion lining up at the world-renowned Spa-Francorchamps would be a mouth watering prospect, but those looking for a nostalgic Michael Schumacher victory this weekend may be better off watching Come Dine With Me.

This is as the sight of the 41-year-old stuck at the back racing the likes of Pedro De La Rosa is a very likely outcome for the race, with there being a better chance of Rubens Barrichello inviting Schuey around for a romantic meal than the German adding to his record six victories at the famous circuit.

His ten-place grid penalty for the controversial manoeuvre on ex-team-mate Barrichello will almost certainly see him start in amongst the three minnows at the back of the grid and he will struggle to make up too many places from that position.

The last race was the lowest point in Schumacher’s return to the sport as he showed his sinister side, but this weekend won’t be too much better as his inability to race competitively with the current generation will be highlighted. Gone are the days when Schumacher would charge through the field with blisteringly quick lap times and stunning overtakes.

He says he is aiming to make the best out of the weekend. That’ll be him keeping out of trouble and the headlines.

As for his team-mate, he should have a much more fruitful weekend, as usual, but won’t fancy his chances of equalling his career-best finish in Belgium of sixth. The minor points will be up for grabs but nothing more as the team have, finally, shifted their focus on 2011.

The remaining seven races can be used as testing sessions for next year rather than rushing through new upgrades that wouldn’t threaten the superior Red Bull and Ferrari teams.

And even Norbert Haug is happy with surrendering any chance of a race victory this season if it means getting a head-start on their opponents for next year. In the past few races he has unwisely predicted podium finishes for the team but he has now set his sights more realistically by only asking for a respectable finish.

Rosberg will certainly achieve that, but for Schumacher this weekend will be all about experiencing Spa for the first time since 2005 and building bridges with the fans he let down in the last Grand Prix.

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