Fuel pressure problem for Sutil on final lap
Today’s Turkish Grand Prix brought mixed results for the Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula OneTeam. New recruit Sakon Yamamoto secured his first-ever finish for the team in 20th position, however Adrian Sutil stopped on the final lap with a fuel pressure problem.
Both drivers enjoyed a good start, keeping clear of a spinning Toyota, and put in a strong first stint to keep pace with the tail end of the field. Sadly a competitive outing became all but impossible when a significant delay for both Adrian and Sakon in the first round of pit stops dropped the duo back down to the end of the field.
Adrian pulled into the pits on lap 21 but stalled with a fuel pressure issue. Unfortunately his car then got stuck in gear and slowed the pit crew’s efforts to restart. With Sakon quickly approaching the box for his own stop, the crew were forced to push Adrian’s car out of the way into the garage however Sakon unfortunately then stalled with an identical problem.
Adrian and Sakon rejoined the track a lap down, but with any tangible chance of making back the lap all but gone, both concentrated on having a clean race to the end. The team got within sight of a double finish until Adrian had to pull over on the final lap when his fuel pressure again dropped.
The team will now go onto Monza for a two day test, the first full test day for the new B-spec F8-VII, and the Italian Grand Prix in two weeks.
Adrian Sutil "I had a very good start but then I had to go wide as a car was spinning. I didn’t lose any places though and the first stint was very competitive. I knew I was quicker than the Toro Rosso but I couldn’t find a way past. Then in the pits I stalled and got stuck in gear and as Sakon was coming in soon after me they had to put the car in the garage to restart. It is a shame as I had hoped to have a good race, but you know it happens. We did do some really strong lap times though and the stint with the harder tyres got better and better especially the last laps. It was just on the last lap that we had some problems with fuel pressure and I had to stop before the chequered flag."
Sakon Yamamoto "First of all I would like to thank the team as my aim was to finish the race and I’ve achieved my target, so I am really happy. It was not that easy as I stalled in the pit stop as the fuel pressure was low, but I did not lose too much time with this thankfully. For Monza we should have the B-spec so I am looking forward to this next race. I will go through the data and then prepare for this race and the next test in just a couple of days."
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer "A difficult race: unfortunately we weren’t able to get both cars to the finish as Adrian stopped on the last lap with a fuel pressure problem. The first stints were pretty good and competitive with the group around us as normal, but sadly we were held up by the Toro Rosso in front. Then both cars stalled in the first pit stop with a fuel pressure issue. With Sakon we could get him going again without losing too much time, but Adrian was stuck in gear. Well done to the boys for turning the cars around in the pit stops so quickly, but after that it was just a question of taking care of the blue flags. We’ll move on to Monza where we should be using the new car and hope for a better finish."
Colin Kolles, team principal and managing director "Again we raced the cars in front and could have stayed with them but for the problems in the pit stops where we lost too much time. We can now go to the Monza test and the first real running of the new car, and then onto the Italian Grand Prix, where we will hope for a result that is more reflective of what we can do."
Adrian Sutil (car 20, F8-VII/01):21st: 1:25:43.994 (DNF)
Fastest lap: 1:30.617
Sakon Yamamoto (car 21, F8-VII/02):
20th: 1:27:48.209 (+2 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:30.951
