SF1FO sees the first laps from the Spyker F8-VII

By Huw Alban
February 6 2007

No nerves today folks. Just another test at Silverstone, but a special one in that it was the first laps from the new Spyker F1 F8-VII car powered by the Ferrari V8 engine. SF1FO were lucky enough to be able to be there and see it...

Unsurprisingly, the new car was up on the jacks when Phil and I arrived at the circuit and went straight into the guests viewing area. Christijan Albers was walking around in a new snazzy Spyker race suit, accompanied by Adrian Sutil and Giedo van der Garde in their civvies.

It wasn't until 11:00 that the Ferrari V8 was fired up and the car lowered to the ground. Christijan completed two installation lap runs in very cold conditions without any problems. One team staffer who spoke to me at lunchtime told me that the only thing that Christijan moaned about was the radio reception, and apparently this is a good sign!

Before the lunch break at 12:30, Christijan completed two more multi-lap runs again without any incidents.

The team then when through an engine change on the car, and had a bite to eat. I managed to catch up with Oliver Knighton, who told me that the shakedown was going very well and that he was pleased with the running that the car had had already. In addition, I managed to learn a little about the fruitful relationship the team are having with Ferrari, who have fitted into the Spyker F1 team's way of doing things without any problems.

Christijan completed several more multi-laps runs during a two hour afternoon session, including a couple practice starts in the pit lane. Viewing the F8-VII from the track the car looked steady and stable, and Christijan appeared confident to be able to push quite hard despite the car being new. I did overhear one comment that the car needed to use its front tyres more, although this was contradicted somewhat by a comment that it was very cold (around 2 degrees C) and that this might be the cause. Read into that what you will.

The mood in the team today was very enthusiastic and upbeat, and everyone seemed very pleased to be preparing for the 2007 World Championship. If the season continues like the shakedown test today then this year looks good for the team. To quote a team staffer today, "You only need to be the last man standing to score a point." Says a lot about the current mind set in Spyker F1 doesn't it?

 

Below is a link to my fotopic gallery presenting the cream of my images from today - warning: this will open in a new window.

Huw's F8-VII shakedown gallery