2007 European Grand Prix Qualifying Report
Adrian Sutil (car 20, F8-VII/03):
FP3: 21st 1:34.423 (20 laps)
Q1: 21st 1:34.500 (9 laps)
Markus Winkelhock (car 21, F8-VII/04):
FP3: 22nd 1:36.090 (19 laps)
Q1: 22nd 1:35.940 (6 laps)
Weather: FP3: Highs of 20 C ambient, 30 C track / Q: Highs
of 21 C ambient, 34 C track.
The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team will start tomorrow's
European Grand Prix with Adrian Sutil and Markus Winkelhock
in 21st and 22nd positions respectively after a disappointing
Qualifying session.
The team's all-German line-up struggled with balance and
grip throughout the Qualifying and the earlier free practice
and were unable to match the pace of the group in front. However,
with rain predicted tomorrow and the Spyker F8-VII's pace
much improved over a race distance, both Adrian Sutil and
Markus Winkelhock will be hoping for improved fortunes in
the race.
The 60-lap race will start at 14:00 local time tomorrow.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
'In general it's been a difficult weekend, but we improved
the balance a lot from yesterday. The track is difficult for
us due to the camber change of the roads - we lose a lot of
grip in the front when we turn in and have some problems braking
into the corners. It always seems to lock up in the front,
which is not what you need in Qualifying. The lap was OK but
I felt I couldn't really push. In this race I think we just
have to live with it and concentrate on doing what we can
for this race and the next until we get the new car.'
Markus Winkelhock (car 21)
'I'm a little bit disappointed as I know more was possible
today. I was already quicker than Friday, but in Qualifying
with the first set of tyres I did a safe lap without pushing
too much. Then on the second set of tyres I tried to push
but we had a little bit too much oversteer. Also in the first
corner there was a Toro Rosso, it didn't block me, but already
the lap could not be perfect from that first corner. I'm not
really happy, but at the end of the day, it was pretty certain
I was going to be on the last row and I knew I had to focus
on tomorrow. The goal is to do a good job without any mistakes,
with obviously the biggest target being to finish the race.'
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'A disappointing Qualifying session today. Whilst I don't
think we expected to be anywhere else apart from the back
row, the gap to the rest of the field is certainly much bigger
than it has been in previous races. We have to try and understand
why, but we have to hope now to get two cars to the finish.'
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