2007 Brazilian Grand Prix Race Report
Adrian Sutil (car 20, F8-VII/03):
DNF Lap 43 Accident damage
Fastest lap: 1:15.202
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21, F8-VII/04):
DNF : Lap 2 Accident
Fastest lap: 1:50.404
The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team's debut Formula
One season came to a disappointing conclusion in today's Brazilian
Grand Prix, with neither F8-VII cars making it to the finish.
Sakon Yamamoto was involved in a second lap incident with
Giancarlo Fisichella, which caused irreparable damage to his
car. The Italian Renault driver had gone off line after the
first turn, but on rejoining the track he moved straight onto
the racing line and into the path of Sakon. At such close
quarters there was nothing Sakon could do but run into the
side of Fisichella, effectively ending his race on the spot.
Adrian Sutil had started well and enjoyed a long battle with
local hero Rubens Barrichello. Up to 15th position before
his first pit stop, the German looked set to move further
up the order with an aggressive set-up and strategy, however
a collision with Anthony Davidson on lap 16 caused significant
damage to his car. Although the German could continue with
a shredded right-hand sidepod, his brakes started to lose
pressure. The team tried in subsequent pit stops to rectify
the problem, however it proved terminal on lap 43.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
'At the beginning the race was good, I could put some pressure
on other cars but then there was the accident just after my
first pit stop. I tried to brake for the first corner, but
suddenly there was no deceleration and I crashed into Davidson.
I could carry on as the car was OK, but then I started to
lose brake pressure and I even had to pump the brakes on the
straight. We couldn't fix it, so ultimately we decided to
retire the car. It was a bad way to finish the season, but
we have to look forward now.'
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21)
'It is a very bad result for me as the set-up and strategy
looked good so I really expected to have a better race, but
unfortunately at the start of lap two, Fisichella went off
and just came back onto the circuit. He just came back onto
the racing line. It's a strange situation as normally when
you go back on you avoid going onto the racing line, but he
didn't so I couldn't do anything other than crash into him.
It's a really bad situation as I wanted to have a good race
but it was over so quickly. But thanks to everyone who has
supported me this year, I appreciate all their support and
particularly all the team members. I am now going to look
forward to testing and I will try to give it my best.'
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'A disappointing end to the year. We wanted to get two cars
to the finish, but perhaps that sums up our season quite well.
Both cars suffered damage from accidents - Sakon's race was
really over before it started when Fisichella came back onto
the track and there was nothing he could do to avoid a collision.
In attempting to pass Davidson Adrian had some contact which
heavily damaged his sidepod and he started to have problems
with his brakes. We tried to get the car to the finish but
unfortunately the problem just got worse and we had to retire
the car in the end. A disappointing conclusion to what's been
a difficult year, but I would like to say thank you very much
to all our partners, particularly Ferrari - Rui de Castro
and his team have been incredibly hardworking, professional
and supportive, and also to Bridgestone. Most importantly
thanks to everyone in the team, back at the factory and at
the track, who in difficult circumstances have done a fantastic
job. I am very proud of them and with our new owners I think
we can look forward to doing something much, much better next
year.'
Colin Kolles, team principal and managing director
'I would like to say thank you to all the team, our partners
and suppliers for supporting us through what has been a very
hard season. It is a shame that we could not give everyone
a better result to end the season on, but I am certain there
is more to come from us next year.'
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