ETIHAD ALDAR SPYKER FORMULA ONE TEAM TEST REPORT
SILVERSTONE T25 - Day One
Just one day after the close of the USA Grand Prix, the Etihad
Aldar Spyker Formula One Team returned to action at Silverstone
Circuit, UK. On the first day of the three day test, Giedo
van der Garde and Adrian Valles completed driving duties as
the team used the new F8-VII/04 chassis for the first time.
The duo covered over 300km in total, with a programme covering
tyre comparison for the forthcoming British Grand Prix and
work on control systems and brake system development.
The short turnaround time was not without its challenges,
as several parts had to be flown from Indianapolis across
the Atlantic to Silverstone. A race against time - and the
weather as the cases of equipment were held up due to storms
over the States. In a show of the team's resolve, only minimal
track time was lost this morning and 64 laps in total were
completed.
Adrian Sutil will take over the wheel tomorrow, while Christijan
Albers and Giedo van der Garde will drive on Thursday.
Team quotes
James Key, Technical Director
'A productive day for the new chassis. Everyone concerned
did a very good job preparing the car, and a thank you to
Ferrari for helping us this morning when we had the delays.
Both drivers did well with a reasonable mileage overall and
we completed some useful tyre work for the British Grand Prix
that we will continue throughout the test. We also tested
some new items on the car, which are more for the longer term,
but we made some good progress today.'
Giedo van der Garde
'It was quite a hectic morning with the parts being held up
and we had to wait until mid morning to get out on the track.
We did 28 laps, but as I didn't know the track it was hard
to get a feeling in that short time. It was only towards the
end of the laps that I started to feel comfortable with the
car again, but I think it was not too bad. It's good to be
back with the team and I'm now really looking forward to getting
back in the car on Thursday.'
Adrian Valles
'It was nice to get back in the car as I didn't drive in the
last test in Barcelona. We had some quite good runs, at first
I needed to get my confidence up on this track, but every
lap felt quicker. We tested some positive items that helped
the brake balance and control systems and seemed to go in
the right direction.'
Testing data
Driver: Giedo van der Garde / Adrian Valles
Track: Silverstone Circuit
Best lap time: 1min 25.931 (Giedo) / 1min 25.394 (Adrian)
Laps completed: 64 (28 Giedo / 36 Valles)
Kilometres completed: 329km
Air temperature: High of 22ºC
Track temperature: High of 31ºC
Weather: Warm, some scattered clouds
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