Formula One news

Kolles: Spa should show our true pace

The Spyker Formula 1 team is looking forward to travel to Belgium. The team's new B-spec car will be making its second Grand Prix appearance at Spa-Francorchamps. Two cars got to the finish in last week's Italian Grand Prix, but the unique low downforce package required at the Italian track made it hard to quantify how much progress has been made over the A-spec car. They are expecting that the Belgian GP at Spa will provide a much better guide to the team's form.

Looking back at the team's progress that was made with the new car Spyker F1 team boss Colin Kolles said: "When you look at the race results you'll see us in 19th and 20th positions and I'm sure you'll think not much has changed, but I think we can be very positive about the team's performance over the weekend. As a team we did not make any mistakes, two new cars ran faultlessly and both got to the finish despite only having a limited testing programme beforehand. We also showed an improvement in race pace over the A-spec cars, with both Adrian and Sakon setting times very similar to the Toro Rossos and Super Aguris. This year we have struggled on tracks with low downforce and high speeds but in Monza we were much closer than before. I think it was a solid debut that we can certainly build on."

Kolles believes the race at Spa-Francorchamps will show the true pace of the team's new car. "I think Spa-Francorchamps should suit us better than Monza, and we'd like to think that we can better our performance. Our goal has now got to be to get off the back row of the grid so we can take advantage of our improved race pace."

more news

• 28 Aug.
  • Heidfeld on top at Monza
  • Photos: Thursday in Monza
  • Raikkonen to play support role to Massa if needed
  • Renault happy with first day, despite position
  • Weather key to title - Whitmarsh
• 27 Aug.
  • Massa sets pace on first day at Monza
  • Hamilton almost didn't race, confirms Whitmarsh
  • Hamilton 'playing the long game'
  • Photos: Wednesday in Monza
  • Sauber still involved at BMW
  • Toro Rosso to trial Buemi for 09 drive
• 26 Aug.
  • Raikkonen engine problem same as Massa's
  • Trulli confident Toyota can keep fourth
  • Don't write off Raikkonen warns Dennis
  • Ferrari boss takes penalty on chin
• 25 Aug.
  • Ferrari boss defends pit stop actions
  • Alonso feels for Spanish fans
  • Sutil didn't see Massa coming
• 24 Aug.
  • Ferrari celebrates win, but concerns over engines
  • McLaren savours solid performance
  • BMW celebrates return to podium
  • Force India looks for the positives
  • Vettel takes another three points for Toro Rosso
  • Williams back in the points
  • Toyota moves ten points clear in fourth
  • Weekend to forget for Renault
  • Another pointless day for Honda
  • Massa escapes with reprimand
  • Disasterous day for Red Bull
  • Massa delighted, blames Sutil for pit drama
  • Hamilton can't complain with second
  • Ferrari hoping to avoid penalty
  • Massa storms to Valencia victory
  • Photos: Sunday at the Valencia Street Circuit
  • Alonso holds key to driver market - Brawn
  • Glock escapes penalty
• 23 Aug.
  • Positive qualifying for BMW
  • McLaren confident of fighting for win
  • Ferrari celebrates pole position
  • Disappointment for Renault

Homepage