Mark Webber confident of hunting down Fernando Alonso

MARK Webber is confident he can close on leader Fernando Alonso when he returns to the "mind-blowing" Spa track for this weekend's Belgian GP.

Mark Webber

MARK Webber is confident he can close on Formula One championship leader Fernando Alonso when he returns to the "mind-blowing" Spa track for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver, boosted by his second place at the circuit last year, aims to bounce back from a pre-summer break slump.

After winning in Monaco and Great Britain, the Australian veteran could manage no better than eighth at the German and Hungarian races.

His teammate Sebastian Vettel won at Spa Francorchamps last year en route to a dominant drivers title win and Webber is convinced the Red Bulls will again be strong.

"It's one of the classic tracks where you feel like an F1 car belongs on the circuit," Webber said.

"We're looking forward to going there and challenging for the victory."

In a highlight of the racing season, Webber pulled off a standout overtaking move at last year's race when he slipped past Alonso into the iconic Eau Rouge - a corner for the brave only.

"Spa is the best track to have after a break and it's extremely rewarding for drivers at that venue," Webber said.

"It's obviously remained pretty much unchanged for some time and it has a lot of character.

"Eau Rouge is a very special part of the track, the spectators love going to watch the cars there and I would encourage anyone to see it live once in their lives - it's mind blowing."

Webber is rated a 10-1 chance to win the Belgian round, behind British McLaren star Lewis Hamilton, who is the odds-on favourite.

Alonso will begin the second half of the season with a commanding 40-point lead over second-placed Webber.

Vettel is menacingly just two points further back with Hamilton trailing the German by only five points - one ahead of Lotus' comeback hero Kimi Raikkonen.

While Vettel won the 2011 Belgian GP and Hamilton was successful two years ago, it is Raikkonen who has dominated at Spa over the years.

The Finn is chasing a fifth win at the track he describes as the greatest racing circuit in the world.

Raikkonen has been a consistent challenger but has yet to win in 2012.

Ferrari's Alonso remains even money favourite to add a third world title to those he collected in 2005-06 while driving for Renault.

With nine races remaining and 225 points still at stake, the Spaniard is not convinced he has a big enough buffer, believing McLaren and Red Bull will finish the year strongly.

AAP