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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