2007 Italian Grand Prix Race Report
Adrian Sutil (car 20, F8-VII/03):
19th 1:19:49.036 (+1 lap)
Fastest lap: 1:25.377
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21, F8-VII/04):
20th: 1:20:00.701 (+1 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:25.478
9 September 2007 - The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team
has achieved a double finish with its new B-spec car in today's
Italian Grand Prix. Adrian Sutil and Sakon Yamamoto both had
clean, if uneventful, drives to end the 53 lap race in 19th
and 20th positions respectively.
Although both Adrian and Sakon demonstrated race pace was
stronger than Qualifying, their two stop strategies did not
play to either's advantage. Needing to make up places in the
first part of the race to create a big enough cushion over
the one-stopping cars, the duo pushed through the field to
17th and 18th but after their first pit stops dropped them
down to the end of the field, the focus switched to securing
a double finish and getting as much information as possible
on the new car in race trim.
The team now looks to the Belgian Grand Prix in just one
week for an improved result.
Adrian Sutil (car 20)
'Today was not such a good day, but we did at least get to
the finish with the new car. The car balance was not great
and at the start it was difficult to keep the temperature
in the tyres under the safety car so I had a bad first stint.
The second stint was a little bit better but I still had some
understeer with the car. It's not been the best weekend but
we'll be better in Belgium I'm sure.'
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21)
'Today from the start we were fighting with the other cars
and we had made the most of the two stop strategy. I could
push and keep up with the field without problems, but in the
end we lost a bit of time compared to the others. I am quite
happy to make it to the end with the B-spec car and for the
next race I will keep pushing and look forward to it.'
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'A solid race for us and again our race pace was much more
competitive than our Qualifying pace showed yesterday. We
chose a two stop strategy for both cars and needed to make
up places in the opening laps compared to those doing one
stop, but it was always going to be difficult to make the
strategy work. Both drivers did a very solid race though,
particularly Sakon who is obviously getting much more tuned
in to the car. It is good to have got two race finishes under
our belt with the new B-spec car and I'm sure we'll be able
to get more out of it in future races.'
Colin Kolles, team principal and managing director
'We can be pleased to get a double finish with the new car,
particularly with such limited testing beforehand. We now
need to build on this in the next Grand Prix and concentrate
on moving further up the field in both the race and in Qualifying.'
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