Formula One news

Column: Hopeful of customer car compromise

After the first three races we can make a good evaluation of the current situation. It is not much different than we expected really. We knew the first part of the season would be difficult as there have been many changes to the team: Spyker bought the team, we signed a deal with Ferrari, a new driver (Sutil) and chief designer Mike Gascoyne.

Obviously we can't be happy with our situation, but we expected this. We know the car is going to improve as we have many improvements on the car on its way. There will be a big update to the car for the Monaco Grand Prix and the B-spec car will arrive for the German Grand Prix and we expect another update for the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Belgian Grand Prix has always been a good race for our team as the track suits the car really well. We hope to show a strong performance at Spa, especially for the many Dutch fans that are expected there and we wouldn't want to disappoint them.

On a completely different note there is still the current issue about the customer cars. Formula 1 is a sport where teams have to construct their own car. We placed this to the attention of the stewards in Melbourne and again in Malaysia. In Bahrain we didn't do anything as Mr. Ecclestone is trying to look for a compromise with the teams. Hopefully he will find a solution, but
it won't be only up to us to find a solution. If there won't be a compromise found we will go our own way and present the evidence in arbitration. But I am confident Mr. Ecclestone can find a solution for teams that are not constructors themselves.

more news

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• 21 Nov.
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• 20 Nov.
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  • Rossi doing well at Mugello in F2008
  • Brawn praises Senna and Di Grassi
  • Vettel happy with early test form
  • Senna happy wih test performance
  • Sato unable to rate his chances
• 19 Nov.
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  • Vettel finishes test on top
  • 'STR's driver decision is purely a financial issue'
  • Senna enjoys warm welcome in paddock
  • Di Grassi enjoyed Honda opportunity
  • Photos: Wednesday in Barcelona
• 18 Nov.
  • Renault pushes on with test
  • Vettel fastest on day 2
  • Ecclestone to replace points for medals?
  • 'This is the worst looking F1 car ever!'
  • Hamilton joins side event Race of Champions
  • De la Rosa joins Force India in Barcelona
  • Photos: Tuesday in Barcelona
  • Wurz enjoying return of slicks
  • Renault happy with first day back
• 17 Nov.
  • Senna's dream comes true with first day at Honda
  • Loeb impressed with Barcelona test
  • Sato fastest on first day in Barcelona
  • Force India sees 2009 chassis delayed
  • Canadian Grand Prix officially axed
  • The 2009 season gets under way in Barcelona
  • Photos: Monday in Barcelona
• 16 Nov.
  • Schumacher gets Superbikes offer
  • Rampf hoped for more in second half of season
• 15 Nov.
  • Loeb happy with Silverstone shakedown
  • Williams extends key sponsor deal
• 14 Nov.
  • Van der Garde sitting tight at Renault

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