Spykerf1 test drivers to get first taste of F8-VII this week

After a successful test in Barcelona this week, the Spyker Formula One Team now moves to the 4.05km Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo close to Valencia for the team’s first two-car test of the year.

It’s also the first time that the new Spyker test drivers will experience the new F8-VII as Malaysian Fairuz Fauzy, Dutchman Giedo van der Garde and Spaniard Adrian Valles join race drivers Christijan Albers and Adrian Sutil for a half-day of testing each.

Adrian Valles will be the first test driver to experience Spyker’s new 2007 challenger as he takes to the track on Monday morning. It’s going to be an emotional day for the 20-year-old Spaniard; born in nearby Alicante, Adrian has enjoyed the support of the Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana throughout his driving career and Monday will be the first time he’s ever driven an F1 car on his ‘home’ track. “It’s exciting for me to drive an F1 car at a track that means so much to me,” Adrian enthused. “For sure it makes you more motivated when you know the track well and have a lot of support there.”

After a one-day test last year with Midland, the Spaniard hopes to build on his F1 experience this time out, “Last year I did 25 laps at Silverstone, but the aim for this test will be to familiarise myself with the new car and get to know the team a little bit better.”

He will, no doubt, be cheered on by crowds of supporters, “I have a lot of people coming to watch so I hope I have a lot of support! Formula 1 in Spain is really big; there’s a real passion for it and the media and the public are interested in anything to do with the sport. I’m proud to be out there too now.”

Giedo van der Garde will take over driving duties from Adrian on Monday afternoon. “Of course I’m very happy to be driving for Spyker and excited to get into their F1 car. I’ve driven at Valencia before in F3 and in the World Series by Renault, so at least the track will be familiar. I’m not sure what it will be like to drive the track in an F1 car, maybe very tight, but we’ll soon see.”

The 21-year-old from Rhenen is also looking to establishing relationships with his new team members, “The test will be a good opportunity to get to know the engineers and the mechanics. We’ve got to start gradually and build up over the next tests going into the start of the season, but I’m looking forward to helping the team in its test programme.”

Malaysian driver Fairuz Fauzy will be keen to make his mark on Tuesday morning when he steps into the F8-VII. The 25-year-old can’t wait for the run, “I’m very excited about this chance,” said Fairuz. “My target will be to gain as much experience about the car as I can and to learn the new-spec Bridgestone Potenza tyres and the electronics. My priority is not to go for a fast time – as it will be more important to set a series of consistent lap times.”

The test at the Spanish circuit of Valencia Ricardo Tormo will be the third run of the F8-VII that Fairuz has attended, after the inaugural shakedown of the new car at Silverstone and also at the three-day run at Barcelona earlier this week. Last Monday at the Spanish track, the Malaysian was fitted for his seat.

Fairuz said: “When I sat in the car, everything felt good, but it’s only when you go out on to the track for the first time that you actually know how comfortable you will feel. I was amazed at the amount of people who worked at the team – and all the different jobs they did. It’s a very professional outfit.

Like Adrian and Giedo, the Valencia test will not be the first time that Fairuz has driven on the Ricardo Tormo circuit, as he raced there in the GP2 Series at the start of last year. “It’s a circuit I really enjoy and a great place to make your Formula One debut,” he said. “The circuit doesn’t have very many high speed corners, but the first turn reminds me of Copse corner at Silverstone – but in the opposite direction. The final two corners are quick, but it reminds me more of a go-kart track.”

Spyker’s race drivers will also attend the test. Christijan Albers will take over from Fairuz on Tuesday afternoon and drive for the remaining one and a half days, while Adrian Sutil will drive the second car on all three days.