Sutil in action for Spyker at Francorchamps

Adrian Sutil took over the wheel for the second day of the Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team’s test at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. On a day marred by rain showers, Adrian completed 49 laps as he ran through a programme of aero development and set-up for the forthcoming Belgian Grand Prix.

Demonstrating the improved pace of the Spyker F8-VII, Adrian was only two seconds off the pace of Massa’s Ferrari over the 7km lap, the fifth fastest time of the day, and set increasingly competitive lap times when the circuit was drying out.

Christian Klien will take over driving duties for the team tomorrow; his first run with the Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team. The Austrian will complete one day of testing.

Dominic Harlow, chief race and test engineer "The day started damp, with the conditions suitable for dry weather tyres from mid morning. Adrian completed his initial setup work and tyre evaluation before the familiar wet conditions set in over lunch. The afternoon provided a useful opportunity to look at the Bridgestone wet tyres, and car settings for wet conditions in preparation for the race here, which is after all in September."

Adrian Sutil "It was not an easy day with the changes of the weather. The morning session was OK, at first it was a little bit damp then in the end we got a dry run. The car was already set up well from the day before, we did some changes on the aero side and some mechanical tweaks, but then the rain came in and interrupted the programme slightly. In the rain we are quite competitive, perhaps better than in the dry, but the rain tyres are a bit soft so they drop off quite quickly, but I think everyone has the same problem. I really like the circuit from F3 and today was fun too. I think we now have a good set-up for the race."