Spyker unable to match the pace of closest rivals
The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team will start tomorrow's European Grand Prix with Adrian Sutil and Markus Winkelhock in 21st and 22nd positions respectively after a disappointing Qualifying session.
The team's all-German line-up struggled with balance and grip throughout the Qualifying and the earlier free practice and were unable to match the pace of the group in front. However, with rain predicted tomorrow and the Spyker F8-VII's pace much improved over a race distance, both Adrian Sutil and Markus Winkelhock will be hoping for improved fortunes in the race.
Adrian Sutil "In general it's been a difficult weekend, but we improved the balance a lot from yesterday. The track is difficult for us due to the camber change of the roads - we lose a lot of grip in the front when we turn in and have some problems braking into the corners. It always seems to lock up in the front, which is not what you need in Qualifying. The lap was OK but I felt I couldn't really push. In this race I think we just have to live with it and concentrate on doing what we can for this race and the next until we get the new car."
Markus Winkelhock "I'm a little bit disappointed as I know more was possible today. I was already quicker than Friday, but in Qualifying with the first set of tyres I did a safe lap without pushing too much. Then on the second set of tyres I tried to push but we had a little bit too much oversteer. Also in the first corner there was a Toro Rosso, it didn't block me, but already the lap could not be perfect from that first corner. I'm not really happy, but at the end of the day, it was pretty certain I was going to be on the last row and I knew I had to focus on tomorrow. The goal is to do a good job without any mistakes, with obviously the biggest target being to finish the race."
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer "A disappointing Qualifying session today. Whilst I don't think we expected to be anywhere else apart from the back row, the gap to the rest of the field is certainly much bigger than it has been in previous races. We have to try and understand why, but we have to hope now to get two cars to the finish."
