Team principal Colin Kolles gives his views on the team's latest development and the coming Formula 1 season…
Colin, yesterday's announcement was a landmark for the team, its first title sponsorship. What does this mean for the team?
Colin Kolles: The news that we have secured a major title partnership with two challenging and progressive brands is wonderful news. When the Spyker team was created just six months ago, we stated that our aim was to be at the front of Formula 1 – not just in results, but in profile and commercial partnerships. We have now proved in that short time that we are to be taken seriously; we can deliver on the promises we made.
Etihad and Aldar Properties are two of Abu Dhabi's major brands, this is a big coup for you to be involved in this fast-moving market.
CK: It is indeed a big coup for us. Both Etihad and Aldar are relatively new to their own respective industries, but they too, like Spyker, have proved they have the determination and drive to make it to the top and win in their sectors. They are both challenger brands, we are a challenger team. It's an exciting time to be involved with Abu Dhabi-based companies too, with the Grand Prix scheduled to take place there in 2009 and the predicted high growth rate of industry.
What impact will the announcement have on the team's operations?
CK: It can only make us stronger. But this partnership is just one of the big steps we have taken over six months. First we signed the deal with Ferrari, then we signed Mike Gascoyne to lead the technical department. I think the team is now very well organised. and is in very good shape. We have additional resources now, such as access to another wind tunnel and an upgrade to the existing one in the UK, and our rate of progress can only go up.
You are heading into the third year in charge of the team. Are these developments on schedule with what you hoped to achieve?
CK: The first year was a rescue year, and the second year was a stabilising year, basically now it's a building up year! We have a very good team structure now and will build on this from now on. We have no illusions that the year will still be tough, but I feel quite positive. We have a good new car, we have new title partners, and we will have a new, modified car after, I hope, 10 races. I think we will have a very steep improvement curve.
Are you pinning a lot of hopes on a B-car?
CK: It should be better, but I don't know how much the others will develop! It will be very obvious to everybody that it will be a completely new car, a new concept. But since Mike Gascoyne has been here we've changed the strategy. We knew we had to put more resources into developing a better car so we waited to unveil the first car until quite late just to have more time in making it right. The first plan was to have a car unveiled in mid-January and have another update before the first race, and then develop slowly. Instead we unveiled the car on 5 February, quite late, to give us more time and now we look forward to coming forward with a B-spec car later in the year.
Can you already see the results of Mike's input?
CK: I think he's doing a very good job, and he has found a place that was already quite well organised, because he hasn't changed too much, he has just brought on board extra resources and restructured. We are pushing very hard to bring the performance back to the team, and he's putting the systems in place that help you to be more efficient, and not to waste money and time in the wrong way.
Christijan is heading into his second year with the team. Is he in a stronger position now?
CK: I think that he's more settled, and he's working very professionally at the moment. He's very focussed, training a lot, so this should help to bring us into a better position.
You were pushing very hard to get Adrian Sutil into a race seat. Do you think he is a potential star?
CK: That's my opinion. I'm very satisfied. But he has to perform and we have to perform, and this is what counts at the end of the day. We haven't achieved anything yet!
You have four test drivers. Are you pleased with how that line-up worked out?
CK: Fauzy represents a big opportunity for his country, and this creates a win-win situation for the team and the driver. Valles is a quick young driver, and he's had some good results for us in the past. He did a very good job when he tested for us last year. Winkelhock has been a regular already, and I'm very happy with him. And Van der Garde is very good. We have a driver from Asia, we have a driver from Spain, we have a driver from Germany, and we have a driver from Holland. These are important markets for us.
