Engine-related problems and a crash for Sutil

The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team has concluded a somewat frustrating free practice session today in Monaco as set-up and tyre evaluation was cut short by engine-related problems for both cars in the first session and a crash from Adrian Sutil in the second.

Christijan Albers completed only five laps in the morning practice after an engine failure in the first half an hour of the session brought an end to his running. Following an engine change between sessions, Christijan was however able to complete 35 laps in the later practice with a best time of 1:18.820.

Adrian Sutil similarly missed a large chunk of the first practice session with an engine-related issue and put in just 19 laps. After setting some promising times in the second session, unfortunately on his first lap on the supersoft tyre compound two thirds of the way into the session, the German ran into the barriers at Portier. Although uninjured, Adrian was unable to continue the session while his car was recovered and brought back to the garage.

Adrian Sutil (car 20) "In general it was a difficult day for us. In the morning session we had a problem with the engine so we couldn’t do much running, instead being limited to just an installation lap and one run. In the afternoon we tried some new set-ups which was OK, but we need to improve our speed overall as we are losing too much time. I put the softest tyres on in the second session but the balance was really difficult and I couldn’t get round the corner and went into the barrier. It was not a huge crash but I’m a little bit disappointed all the same."

Christijan Albers (car 21) "We had bad luck this morning with the engine failure and had to wait until the afternoon to do some longer runs, but obviously I still want more! We are not that far away but we still need to do some work as we could easily be quicker and I made a slight error on my fastest lap."

Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer "A difficult first day for both cars. We lost most of the morning session on Christijan’s car with the engine problem and had to change it and also had an engine-related issue on Adrian’s car, so he also missed out on some running. In the second session we were able to get some more work done and evaluate different tyres, but unfortunately Adrian went off on his first run with the softer tyre. Christijan also made a mistake on his fastest lap on the softest tyres so it was a difficult day all round. But on the positive side, I think there is a lot more to come from the car and we look to be very close to group in front. We just hope we can get it right on Saturday."

Adrian Sutil (car 20, F8-VII/03):
FP1: 21st 1:21.634 (19 laps)
FP2: 22nd 1:19.358 (29 laps)

Christijan Albers (car 21, F8-VII/02):
FP1: 22nd, 1:23.235 (5 laps)
FP2: 21st 1:18.820 (29 laps)