2007 Turkish Grand Prix Race Report
Adrian Sutil (car 20, F8-VII/01):
21st: 1:25:43.994 (DNF)
Fastest lap: 1:30.617
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21, F8-VII/02):
20th: 1:27:48.209 (+2 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:30.951
26 August 2007 - Today's Turkish Grand Prix brought mixed
results for the Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team. New
recruit Sakon Yamamoto secured his first-ever finish for the
team in 20th position, however Adrian Sutil stopped on the
final lap with a fuel pressure problem.
Both drivers enjoyed a good start, keeping clear of a spinning
Toyota, and put in a strong first stint to keep pace with
the tail end of the field. Sadly a competitive outing became
all but impossible when a significant delay for both Adrian
and Sakon in the first round of pit stops dropped the duo
back down to the end of the field.
Adrian pulled into the pits on lap 21 but stalled with a
fuel pressure issue. Unfortunately his car then got stuck
in gear and slowed the pit crew's efforts to restart. With
Sakon quickly approaching the box for his own stop, the crew
were forced to push Adrian's car out of the way into the garage
however Sakon unfortunately then stalled with an identical
problem.
Adrian and Sakon rejoined the track a lap down, but with
any tangible chance of making back the lap all but gone, both
concentrated on having a clean race to the end. The team got
within sight of a double finish until Adrian had to pull over
on the final lap when his fuel pressure again dropped.
The team will now go onto Monza for a two day test, the first
full test day for the new B-spec F8-VII, and the Italian Grand
Prix in two weeks.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
'I had a very good start but then I had to go wide as a car
was spinning. I didn't lose any places though and the first
stint was very competitive. I knew I was quicker than the
Toro Rosso but I couldn't find a way past. Then in the pits
I stalled and got stuck in gear and as Sakon was coming in
soon after me they had to put the car in the garage to restart.
It is a shame as I had hoped to have a good race, but you
know it happens. We did do some really strong lap times though
and the stint with the harder tyres got better and better
especially the last laps. It was just on the last lap that
we had some problems with fuel pressure and I had to stop
before the chequered flag.'
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21)
'First of all I would like to thank the team as my aim was
to finish the race and I've achieved my target, so I am really
happy. It was not that easy as I stalled in the pit stop as
the fuel pressure was low, but I did not lose too much time
with this thankfully. For Monza we should have the B-spec
so I am looking forward to this next race. I will go through
the data and then prepare for this race and the next test
in just a couple of days.'
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'A difficult race: unfortunately we weren't able to get both
cars to the finish as Adrian stopped on the last lap with
a fuel pressure problem. The first stints were pretty good
and competitive with the group around us as normal, but sadly
we were held up by the Toro Rosso in front. Then both cars
stalled in the first pit stop with a fuel pressure issue.
With Sakon we could get him going again without losing too
much time, but Adrian was stuck in gear. Well done to the
boys for turning the cars around in the pit stops so quickly,
but after that it was just a question of taking care of the
blue flags. We'll move on to Monza where we should be using
the new car and hope for a better finish.'
Colin Kolles, team principal and managing director
'Again we raced the cars in front and could have stayed with
them but for the problems in the pit stops where we lost too
much time. We can now go to the Monza test and the first real
running of the new car, and then onto the Italian Grand Prix,
where we will hope for a result that is more reflective of
what we can do.'
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