Formula One news

Spyker team making progress at Spa

The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team got tantalisingly close to going into the second Qualifying segment for the first time today at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. With the improvement in pace gained from its new B-spec F8-VII, Adrian Sutil was just 0.5secs from the vital 16th place and Q2.

Adrian had an extremely productive final free practice session, completing final long run checks and set-up work. Setting the 18th fastest time of the morning, the German looked set to improve his time in Qualifying, but a small error on the exit to the final chicane cost him that few vital tenths of a second. He will start tomorrow's 44 lap race from 20th position.

Sakon Yamamoto had a more difficult day. A front left brake disc failure sent him into the barriers on his last lap of the morning's practice, but as only superficial damage was done to the nosebox, technicians were able to get the Japanese driver out again for Qualifying. Unfortunately his programme was then interrupted by a call to the weighbridge and, with the laps at Spa being the longest on the calendar at just under two minutes, was only able to complete one flying lap. Sakon will line up in 22nd position.

Adrian Sutil commented: "Here with the B-spec we saw an improvement. We are quicker on the straights and the downforce is much better through the quicker corners. It was very close and in the end we dropped down the order a little bit, but the car was definitely good enough to take P18 or better. I just lost a little bit of time by locking a wheel in the last chicane that cost a few tenths but I can still be quite happy as it was the strongest performance yet in Qualifying. We were really close to the field and hopefully tomorrow we will have even more chance of moving up the order."

Sakon Yamamoto said: "Generally my day was disappointing. This morning I had a brake problem and then I had to go out for my first run in Qualifying with hard tyres to prepare the brakes. Then I came in and lost some time on the scales. We had planned to go out twice on the softer tyre but in fact we only had time to do one run. It was a difficult session but tomorrow I will do my best in the race and I know we can do better from our results in the Friday practices."

more news

• 05 Sep.
  • Vettel to test Red Bull this month
• 04 Sep.
  • Massa eyes up vital six final races
  • Raikkonen hopes for dry weekend
  • Photos: Thursday at Spa-Francorchamps
  • Coulthard: The engines make the difference
• 03 Sep.
  • Bridgestone going hard on Spa
  • Former Albers manager teams up with Doornbos
  • Massa: Beating Raikkonen will be difficult at Spa
  • Belgian Grand Prix technical preview
• 02 Sep.
  • Raikkonen: I need a good result at Spa
  • Button: Spa is just great!
  • Brawn hopes for mixed weather conditions
  • Toro Rosso invites Sato and Buemi for test
  • Glock hoping to score more points
  • Renault not giving up on fourth
  • Piquet determined to score at Spa
• 01 Sep.
  • Ecclestone supports Mosley
  • Trulli expects another strong weekend
  • Alonso determined to bounce back
  • Cregan to leave Toyota at end of season
  • Belgian Grand Prix snap shot
  • Mercedes boss expects tight end to season
• 31 Aug.
  • Alonso pleased with test progress
  • Honda still looking for Monza set up
• 30 Aug.
  • Force India eyes Honda after test progress
  • BMW boss wants both cars in the points
  • Aero updates for McLaren at Spa
  • Heidfeld in determined mood for Spa
• 29 Aug.
  • Hamilton finishes test on top
  • Another accolade for Frank Williams
  • Hamilton relishing Spa challenge
  • Photos: Friday in Monza
  • Former champion Phil Hill passes away
  • Alonso happy with first day at wheel
  • Rosberg hopeful of upward trend
• 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

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