Disappointing end of the season for Spyker
The Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team's debut Formula One season came to a disappointing conclusion in today's Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, with neither F8-VII cars making it to the finish.
Sakon Yamamoto was involved in a second lap incident with Giancarlo Fisichella, which caused irreparable damage to his car. The Italian Renault driver had gone off line after the first turn, but on rejoining the track he moved straight onto the racing line and into the path of Sakon. At such close quarters there was nothing Sakon could do but run into the side of Fisichella, effectively ending his race on the spot.
Adrian Sutil had started well and enjoyed a long battle with local hero Rubens Barrichello. Up to 15th position before his first pit stop, the German looked set to move further up the order with an aggressive set-up and strategy, however a collision with Anthony Davidson on lap 16 caused significant damage to his car. Although the German could continue with a shredded right-hand sidepod, his brakes started to lose pressure. The team tried in subsequent pit stops to rectify the problem, however it proved terminal on lap 43.
Adrian Sutil "At the beginning the race was good, I could put some pressure on other cars but then there was the accident just after my first pit stop. I tried to brake for the first corner, but suddenly there was no deceleration and I crashed into Davidson. I could carry on as the car was OK, but then I started to lose brake pressure and I even had to pump the brakes on the straight. We couldn't fix it, so ultimately we decided to retire the car. It was a bad way to finish the season, but we have to look forward now."
Sakon Yamamoto "It is a very bad result for me as the set-up and strategy looked good so I really expected to have a better race, but unfortunately at the start of lap two, Fisichella went off and just came back onto the circuit. He just came back onto the racing line. It's a strange situation as normally when you go back on you avoid going onto the racing line, but he didn't so I couldn't do anything other than crash into him. It's a really bad situation as I wanted to have a good race but it was over so quickly. But thanks to everyone who has supported me this year, I appreciate all their support and particularly all the team members. I am now going to look forward to testing and I will try to give it my best."
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer "A disappointing end to the year. We wanted to get two cars to the finish, but perhaps that sums up our season quite well. Both cars suffered damage from accidents - Sakon's race was really over before it started when Fisichella came back onto the track and there was nothing he could do to avoid a collision. In attempting to pass Davidson Adrian had some contact which heavily damaged his sidepod and he started to have problems with his brakes. We tried to get the car to the finish but unfortunately the problem just got worse and we had to retire the car in the end. A disappointing conclusion to what's been a difficult year, but I would like to say thank you very much to all our partners, particularly Ferrari - Rui de Castro and his team have been incredibly hardworking, professional and supportive, and also to Bridgestone. Most importantly thanks to everyone in the team, back at the factory and at the track, who in difficult circumstances have done a fantastic job. I am very proud of them and with our new owners I think we can look forward to doing something much, much better next year."
Colin Kolles, team principal and managing director "I would like to say thank you to all the team, our partners and suppliers for supporting us through what has been a very hard season. It is a shame that we could not give everyone a better result to end the season on, but I am certain there is more to come from us next year."
