Alonso in 'attack' mode in Belgium

Fernando Alonso will bring "attack" mode to the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend, as he takes to the wheel for McLaren for the first time since announcing his decision to leave the team and Formula 1 at the end of the year.

The Spaniard has a mixed past at the race, although he has never won and has no pole positions at Spa-Francorchamps, he has secured three podium finishes.

Save for a stunning turnaround in McLaren's fortunes, adding to that is unlikely this week, but Alonso is still looking ahead to the race after F1's month-long break.

He said: "Even though Formula 1 has been on its summer shutdown, it feels like a lot has happened since Hungary!

"I'm pleased to finally confirm my decision for 2019, but that doesn't in any way deter from what me or the team will be focusing on for the rest of the year.

"Although I've raced more recently that anyone else on the grid, at Silverstone in WEC last weekend, I still can't wait to get behind the wheel at Spa. It's one of the best circuits on the calendar and usually a lot of fun.

"Spa is the longest track we race on and a lot of it is at full throttle, so it will be a challenging weekend for us. But, I feel fresh, motivated and ready to attack the weekend and the second half of the season."

Alonso's team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne will have a point to prove in his home race. Reports over the summer break had suggested he could lose his race seat in Spa, while it is still uncertain whether he will race for McLaren next year, having been outperformed vastly by Alonso so far this season.

"My home race is always one of the key highlights of the season, and every year I go there we see more and more passionate fans in the grandstands," the Belgian said.

"The feeling is incredible and the whole team always receives a very warm welcome everywhere we go."