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The Spyker F1 team launched their 2007 contender at Silverstone on Monday. The car is called the F8-VII (F for Formula 1 line, 8 for the V8 engine and the roman VII for the year 2007 from their aircraft heritage).

The team aim to be reliable in the first half of the season and make a big step in the second half with a B spec or a 'Mike Gascoyne' spec.

Managing Director and Team Principal Colin Kolles said:

We know that the first half of the season could be challenging for the team, but with the stability that Spyker has brought with it, we've got a real direction and focus now. We know that Spyker want to make the project work, and we've already set about making changes to turn the team around. One of the first steps was to bring in Mike Gascoyne to lead the technical team and help give the direction we need.

Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne said:

Since I arrived at Spyker three months ago, I've been looking carefully at the technical department to put in place the personnel, procedures and resources that will give the team structure; already we've doubled our aerodynamic resources with a second wind tunnel and dedicated team in Italy. As a team we're looking at planning for the future through a more structured approach by prioritising key aspects that will give a big improvement rather than small, gradual steps. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the changes in the second half of the season when we deliver an improved B-spec package.

Christijan Albers said:

As a driver I always drive to the maximum, but in 2006 I could not always show the best I could do. I've worked closely with the team over the winter to help highlight the areas we need to improve and I'm pretty confident that in the second half of the year we'll start to see the improvements. Having Mike on board and additional resources shows everyone we're serious about progressing. There's already been some exciting developments and we'll start seeing even more over the second half of the year.

Adrian Sutil said:

It's a great feeling. For sure it's very nice to be a real part of the team as a race driver. My aim is to work with the team and progress with them to the next level. I want to help develop the car more and help to go forward. I also want to learn the circuits and get to know the F1 business as much as I can. It's not just the driving, it's the pressure and the press too, but it's all a new experience so I'll take everything step by step. First, I really want to get going and get some real mileage under my belt.

The team have 4 test drivers. A bit excessive for a team that isn't planning that many tests!

Fairuz Fauzy, Giedo van der Garde, Adrian Valles and Markus Winkelhock.

The Spyker F8-VII

Man that car is ORANGE!!!! Do orange cars go faster? Can't imagine they will be challenging for anything above about 9th..... and that is being very generous.

I voted bottom two but they could finish 9th. I find it harder to predict the bottom three than the top three. Less info about drivers and teams.

I agree... plus I take very little notice of them basically.

I don't like that look. But it is good for TV I suppose.

What's that ugly looking thing on the TV ?
It's a Spyker!
Oh, what's that ?
They reckon it's some car!
An orange car

I think the last two teams this year will be Spyker then Toro Rosso. I know 37.5 seconds but still I stick to my opinion and hope that Adrian Sutil is good cause I don't think Albers is . Notice I said hope cause I haven't seen him beat the s#$% out of everyone in a kart race in Uruguay when he was 16

jacfan wrote:Man that car is ORANGE!!!! Do orange cars go faster? Can't imagine they will be challenging for anything above about 9th..... and that is being very generous.

Its all about distraction

<T-K> wrote:

jacfan wrote:Man that car is ORANGE!!!! Do orange cars go faster? Can't imagine they will be challenging for anything above about 9th..... and that is being very generous.

Its all about distraction

you sound distracted

Inadequate testing, no major changes from 2006... Gazza may be with them but they won't see any improvement until well into the season. Come 2008 they will be better for sure but for now I think they'll finish together with STR and Aguri w/o any points.

Julian Mayo wrote:

<T-K> wrote:

jacfan wrote:Man that car is ORANGE!!!! Do orange cars go faster? Can't imagine they will be challenging for anything above about 9th..... and that is being very generous.

Its all about distraction

you sound distracted

Spyker is dutch for nail

In Afrikaans it also means nail, but the term is used differently and could be what the team is, spykered

that could leave them feeling flat as a tack.

Julian Mayo wrote:that could leave them feeling flat as a tack.

In that case they will probably be hammered by the opposition.

jacfan wrote:

Julian Mayo wrote:that could leave them feeling flat as a tack.

In that case they will probably be hammered by the opposition.

outgunned

jacfan wrote:Man that car is ORANGE!!!! Do orange cars go faster? Can't imagine they will be challenging for anything above about 9th..... and that is being very generous.

Photos from testing show the car to be very" ferrari" red

Julian Mayo wrote:

jacfan wrote:Man that car is ORANGE!!!! Do orange cars go faster? Can't imagine they will be challenging for anything above about 9th..... and that is being very generous.

Photos from testing show the car to be very" ferrari" red

No worries... I think you'll be able to tell them apart easily judging by position on the track