Spyker F1 Ferrari:
Last Season’s Position: 10th (as Midland)

Drivers:



20. Christijan Albers (NED)

Debut: Australia 2005
Starts: 37
Wins: 0
Points: 4
Poles: 0



21. Adrian Sutil (GER)

Debut: Australia 2007
Starts: 0
Wins: 0
Points: 0
Poles: 0

Paul_Murtagh says:
Yet another new name above the door at the Silverstone-based team. Do you feel this will bring a change in fortune?
Dcoulthard19 says:
It think they will have better fortunes than Midland, they have Gazza, better funds, better facilities, better budget and as a manufacturer they could do alright in the long term but the first year will be hard but in 2008 I already expect good strides forward.
Paul_Murtagh says:
I feel that now the team should have stability they can move forward and make more progression than Midland made last season. What about Mike Gascoigne? Can he really change round the fortunes of the team and move them further up the grid?
Dcoulthard19 says:
Toyota didn't really suit him but I think this is the ideal job for him, he can build a team around him and start from the bottom and head upwards, this is the sort of challenge he relishes and he is already having an impact and making himself heard.
Paul_Murtagh says:
Is he making the right move in returning to the team he left 7 years ago? We have seen in F1 before that sometimes it never works out when someone returns to an old team
Dcoulthard19 says:
I think he didn't want to return to team like Mclaren and Renault and if Spyker didn't come for him I didn't see him returning to F1 at all, starting from scratch is what he wants
Paul_Murtagh says:
Yeah it's a fresh start for him with little pressure. What about Christijan Albers? I feel he has done a solid if not spectacular job in his two years in the sport so far
Dcoulthard19 says:
Whilst Spyker are still considered backmarkers so whilst this is the case they won't attract big name drivers, however I think Albers is a handy little driver, he beat Monteiro last year and has shown bursts of pace at times and in a good car I am sure he could do well.
Paul_Murtagh says:
He was a very talented driver in DTM and it's very rare that a tin-top driver can transfer into a top-line single-seater series and do well like he has done. I think he could pick up a point at some stage during the season but that's the most he can hope for
Dcoulthard19 says:
I don't think he is a capable of being a top line driver because drivers like Fisichella and Alonso made much bigger impacts whilst in backmarker teams but I think Albers can get a future on the grid even if is only in the midfield or in testing. I hope he gets a chance to shine at some point later on.
Paul_Murtagh says:
He should do a solid job with Spyker. But I don't think anyone can deny that his nationality was the biggest factor in him securing the Spyker seat. How do you feel Adrian Sutil will do in his first year as an F1 driver?
Dcoulthard19 says:
He could be a big talent on the lines of Hamilton and Heikki etc. He did very well on Fridays last year at times even getting the midland into the top 10 on the odd occasion which is still brilliant considering the advantages 3rd drivers had in the sessions. I think he needs to beat Albers though, that’s quite important.
Paul_Murtagh says:
I have to admit I haven't seen much of him racing, but he did look good in Friday practice last year. And as Kubica has shown Friday test drivers can do well in grand prix. But I feel Spyker are using him as a stop-gap until they can attract a more experienced driver in 2008 such as Fisichella or Trulli which would be unfair on Sutil
Dcoulthard19 says:
Even if that happens I think Sutil can impress enough to warrant a place in another team, I am sure someone would pick him up or they may ditch Albers and put Fisichella or Trulli alongside Sutil, it’s possible. Sutil definitely has loads of promise and hopefully he will start the season well and deliver.
Paul_Murtagh says:
Yeah if he has a good solid season and can get as close to Albers as possible and maybe beat him on a few occasions he should have a bright future in F1. Overall how do you expect Spyker's season to go? Can you see them beating the factory efforts of Toro Rosso and Super Aguri?
Dcoulthard19 says:
the first half of the season I don't expect much but when the new car comes out they can definitely challenge to beat Super Aguri and Torro Rosso and maybe go further, in their first test they were 3 seconds off 1st which isn't awful by any means, they have something to build on.
Paul_Murtagh says:
I just feel that with the money being pumped into Toro Rosso and Aguri by their parent teams will keep them above Spyker this season in the overall standings. But if Spyker can keep a hold of the Ferrari engine and maybe have a relationship with Maranello like Sauber did then they can move up the table in 2008
Dcoulthard19 says:
I think their long term future might be quite good, they seem serious about the job, they say they expect their first win within 5 years, emphasis on the word "expect". Can they really live up to that promise?
Paul_Murtagh says:
I don't think that's possible. The way F1 is going a successful team needs full factory support from an engine manufacturer like McLaren with Mercedes. Unless they can tie in with a new manufacturer like Audi or Hyundai then it won't happen because Ferrari won't want their customer team winning a race and challenging them
Dcoulthard19 says:
Yeah fair enough, do you think they can get into the position where they can challenge for regular points?
Paul_Murtagh says:
I think even that could be a bridge too far. They could pick up the odd point now and again but as Minardi proved it doesn't matter how long you are in F1 it's not a guarantee of progression and success
Dcoulthard19 says:
I think they will go up the grid to be honest, Minardi is perhaps a bit of an unfair comparison to make as they hardly had any money and didn't have an inspirational character like Gazza but only time will tell I suppose, Spyker seem very positive about their chances, we will watch with interest.

Ratings (out of 10):

Drivers – 5.5
Aerodynamics - 5
Engine – 6.5
Reliability - 6
Mechanical grip - 5
Tactics - 5
Pit crew - 6
Overall – 5/5.5