Sutil crashes new Spyker

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Sutil crashes new Spyker

Spyker Formula One Team Test, Silverstone, 7th February 2007, The new 2007 Spyker-Ferrari F8-VII, Driver Adrian Sutil (GER) drives the car for the for time.

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F1 rookie Adrian Sutil suffered a minor crash at Silverstone on Wednesday, as the Spyker Formula One team concluded, somewhat prematurely, its two-day shakedown test with the new F8-VII.

Sutil, who took over from team-mate Christijan Albers, completed around 130 kilometres in total before going off line on an icy kerb and ending up in the barriers, causing what the team described as 'minor damage'.

Nevertheless, Sutil was still happy with his 26 laps: "Today was actually very good for a first roll out, and the car was quick. This year's car is definitely better than last year's car and we had no real technical problems. I put in some quick lap times from the start and I could tell the [Ferrari] engine was very, very good."

Sutil conceded that his error was frustrating, adding: "Of course the end of the day was disappointing; I went on the kerb and touched a strip of damp grass - if you touch it you know you will have problems. It wasn't a big crash though and we will repair the car and get out back in time for Barcelona."

Spyker F1 chief technical officer Mike Gascoyne preferred to focus on the positives, with the team gathering more engine and control systems data ahead of their trip to Spain.

"It's been another useful day of testing. We solved some minor mechanical issues we had yesterday and now head to Barcelona to continue the programme in warmer temperatures. Overall it was a very positive shakedown and a good basis to start from," he concluded.

The Spyker F1 team will now continue its testing programme next week with a three-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya, which runs from February 12-14.