Yamamoto officially confirmed at Spyker

The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team is pleased to announce Sakon Yamamoto will partner Adrian Sutil for the remaining seven races of the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship. Yamamoto will replace Christijan Albers.

The 25-year-old from Toyohashi, Japan, made his Formula 1 debut at his home Grand Prix in Suzuka with Spyker's predecessors, Jordan, in 2005. The following year Sakon joined the Super Aguri F1 Team as test and third driver before stepping up to race in the last seven rounds of the 2006 season. After securing three consecutive finishes in China, Japan and Brazil, Sakon moved to the GP2 series with BCN Competition at the beginning of 2007.

Sakon Yamamoto commented, "I am very pleased to get the opportunity to race in Formula 1 again. I know all the circuits we are going to very well, having raced at them with Aguri last year. I also know the team from my test in 2005 so I feel ready for the chance. I want to do the best I can and help the team achieve their objective of moving up the field. I'm looking forward to working with them."

Team principal and managing director, Colin Kolles, said, "We would like to welcome Sakon back to the team after a long absence. He is one of the most promising young Japanese drivers who showed potential in the races he contested in 2006 and I think he and Adrian will be a complimentary pairing. Sakon's experience of the circuits we visit in the second half of the season will be a big advantage to us as we move forward."