Spyker signs Rodriguez as test driver for 2007/08 winter period

The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team announces today that GP2 driver Roldan Rodriguez will join its test and development driver line-up over the 2007/08 winter period. Twenty-two year old Roldan, from Valladolid, Spain, completed a 50km shakedown of the Spyker F8-VII at Silverstone last week.

Rodriguez commented, "This test drive is a good opportunity for me to get more F1 experience. I enjoyed the shakedown at Silverstone but as we could only do 50km, I am pleased that I can now get more mileage under my belt. I know the team has high expectations for next year and I really want to help it achieve its aims by contributing to the development programme over the winter."

Colin Kolles, Spyker F1's team principal and managing director, added, "I'm pleased to welcome Roldan to the team as a test driver. Despite only having limited time in the car last week at Silverstone, he applied himself well. With this experience and his good knowledge of the circuits we go to over the winter, I believe he will make a strong contribution to the team's progress."

Roldan Rodriguez is currently driving for the Minardi Piquet Sports team in the F1 feeder series GP2. Currently 15th in the championship with just his 'home' round in Valencia, Spain, remaining, Roldan's season high point has been a podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August. Prior to GP2, he competed for several seasons in Spanish Formula 3, finishing second in 2006, Euroseries 3000 and Italian F3000. He was also a test driver for the Minardi F1 Team in 2005.

The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team will be back in action at the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend with regular drivers Sakon Yamamoto and Adrian Sutil.