It was yet another frustrating day for the Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team in Sao Paulo, Brazil. After a challenging day in scorching temperatures Adrian Sutil and Sakon Yamamoto qualified for tomorrow’s race in 21st and 22nd position respectively.

Adrian had set a promising time in the morning’s practice session, just sixth tenths of a second from the top 12, however a fuel pressure problem cost him valuable track time. Unfortunately this problem then reoccurred in the first minutes of Qualifying after the German had recorded just one flying lap.

Sakon had a similarly productive morning, finishing just two tenths down from Adrian’s time, but struggled in Qualifying with a car set-up he felt didn’t quite work over one lap. He will start the final race of the season from 22nd position.

Adrian Sutil (car 20)
‘Unfortunately we had a fuel pressure problem on my first run in Qualifying – the engine just cut out and I couldn’t go on. It was the same issue we had in the morning, but then I stopped in the pit lane and my mechanics could push me back to the garage to get started again. In the afternoon I was on track and we couldn’t do the same. Obviously it is a worry and something we need to sort out for the race, but I think we can get it right tomorrow.’

Sakon Yamamoto (car 21)
‘Obviously this Qualifying was disappointing. The grip level was lower than I expected and I changed the set-up for Qualifying and the race, but the set-up just didn’t seem to work that well over one lap. On this point it’s a shame, but I think this set-up will work better in the race so I want to push 100% and do my best race so far this season.’

Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer‘A disappointing Qualifying session. Adrian stopped on his first run with a fuel pressure problem, which was unfortunate as I think with the track improvement we could have picked up on a couple of places. Sakon struggled with less grip than this morning, but I am sure in the race we can be competitive with the group in front, so we have to look to pick up some places tomorrow.’