2007 Belgian Grand Prix Race Report
Adrian Sutil (car 20, F8-VII/03):
14th 1:21:15.180 (+1 lap)
Fastest lap: 1:50.902
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21, F8-VII/04):
17th : 1:21:58.817 (+1 lap)
Fastest lap: 1:51.648
The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team has secured its
most competitive finish yet in today's 44 lap Belgian Grand
Prix. Adrian Sutil had a strong drive to move through the
field to 14th position, five positions up on his grid slot,
while Sakon Yamamoto finished in 17th position to give the
team its second consecutive double finish with the new B-spec
car.
Adrian had a flying start to end the first lap in 15th position.
Over the next three laps he then passed Liuzzi, Button and
then Trulli to move into 12th, just a second from the Red
Bull of David Coulthard. Despite pushing hard over the following
11 laps Adrian could not find a way past. A pit stop dropped
him back down to 18th but by his second and final stop was
back to the position. Adrian finished the race a fighting
14th position, just three seconds from the 13th placed Honda
of Rubens Barrichello.
Sakon Yamamoto also drove a solid race, but unfortunately
was not able to take advantage of the softer Bridgestone Potenza
tyre option used on his first stint. He struggled with understeer,
but following a balance change and switch to harder tyre in
his first stop could push much more and stay with the Aguris.
He secured 17th position at the finish.
The team will now return to its Silverstone base before heading
to the Far East for a double header in Japan and China in
two weeks.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
'This is the first time I am smiling after getting out of
the car! It was a good race and every lap there were cars
in front and behind that I was racing so I had to really push,
but also defend. It was a great feeling, especially the first
run, which was crazy - I could take one car after another
and got up to 12th before the first pit stop. We didn't have
any trouble in the stops, everything went very smoothly, and
I think 14th place with the B-spec car is very good.'
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21)
'From the start I really pushed as I could set the same pace
as the other drivers, but I had a soft tyre that gave a a
lot of understeer. On my first stop we went to the harder
tyre and made a wing change so the car became much better
balanced and I could push for the rest of the race distance.
It was a good result and I think we can be pleased as this
weekend we have shown how much we can do with the B-spec.
The next race in Fuji will be my home Grand Prix so I am now
really looking forward to racing there.'
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'Obviously a very pleasing and competitive race for us, so
well done to everyone in the team. Adrian drove a storming
race, especially on his first stint, and if he had been able
to get past the one-stopping cars I think we would have been
able to finish one or two places further up. But overall I
think it's good to be racing and overtaking some of the works
teams and, as a small team and a true constructor, I think
we can be very proud of what we have done today.'
Colin Kolles, team principal and managing director
'I am very pleased to see that we are now making real progress
and are able to compete with the cars around us. Adrian had
an excellent race to 14th position and Sakon did a very solid
job in only his fourth race for the team. I think we can now
look forward to the last three races of the year.'
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