2007 Chinese Grand Prix Race Report
Adrian Sutil (car 20, F8-VII/03):
DNF Lap 24 Accident
Fastest lap: 1:47.603
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21, F8-VII/04):
17th : 1:39:13.633 (+3 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:40.764
7 October 2007 - The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team's
disappointing Chinese Grand Prix weekend came to a similarly
frustrating finish today at the Shanghai International Circuit.
The heavy typhoon-like rain conditions the team had expected
never ultimately materialised and, with a full wet set-up,
both Adrian Sutil and Sakon Yamamoto's races were compromised
from the start.
Both started on extreme wet Bridgestone Potenza tyre options
to tackle the monsoon-like rain predicted to fall within minutes
of the start, but when only a light shower emerged, the pair
changed to standard wet tyres. As the humidity and temperature
increased, the track started to dry out and, at the back of
the field with risks worth taking, the team changed Adrian
and Sakon to the dry option tyres.
For Adrian this risk was a little too great as he spun off
at a wet last corner into the barriers on lap 24. Sakon changed
back to wets until the rain abated and he switched back to
dry. With no hope of making up any positions, Sakon concentrated
on bringing the car home, finally finishing 17th.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
'For sure this was a disappointing weekend. We took some risks
with the weather, starting first on extreme wet tyres. We
were hoping for a lot more rain, but ultimately it didn't
come and we changed to the wets. It was very difficult to
drive, but we carried on until the second pit stop for the
dry tyres. It turned out to be too early and then the rain
started again. It was just the wrong moment to change to dry
and tough to drive and suddenly at the last corner the car
just went straight on and into the barriers. We all have to
forget this one though and now look to Brazil. There are good
races and bad races, and this was just one of those bad ones.'
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21)
'At the end of the day we can say we made some mistakes over
tyre choice, but nobody knows how it will go and you just
have to take the risks. If it works out, then it will be a
success and if not, a very tough race. One positive thing
was that I could again finish and, even with four tyre changes
in mixed conditions the crew did very well. We have now just
got to look to Brazil, one of my favourite tracks, and just
give a good race to end the season.'
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'We took a gamble to start on the extreme wets with heavy
rain predicted, but the rain never really materialised. We
then had to change to the standard wets and, from that moment
on, it was always going to be a case of getting it to the
flag. Unfortunately we then changed to drys, but after a few
laps it started to rain again and Adrian just got caught out.
Sakon did a good job to get the car to the finish in difficult
conditions, but I think that we can all say that this is one
race to definitely forget.'
Colin Kolles, team principal and managing director
'This was a tough race to call with the expected heavy rain
ultimately never coming. We have usually been right with strategy
calls in similarly difficult conditions, but this time the
risks didn't pay off, however when you start at the back of
the grid, there is everything to gain and the risks are always
worth taking. Although it didn't work out this time, there
is always one race to go where I hope we can put on a better
show.'
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