While its rivals have been on track in Sepang, Spyker has been in the wind-tunnel trying out a number of new aero components for next weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.

At Sepang, both F8-VII cars will feature revised bodywork, sidepod inlets, bargeboards and a modified diffuser to increase aerodynamic efficiency. This major upgrade is a direct result of the team's new partnership with Aerolab, which allows the team access to a second wind tunnel and 30 additional staff.

"We were where we expected to be in Australia in qualifying time difference," said Mike Gascoyne, "but on race pace we were pretty close to the group in front.

"For Malaysia the goal is now to transfer the aero upgrade onto the car and move forward," he continued. "The simulations we have conducted in the wind tunnel suggest the modifications will give a significant increase in performance and hopefully we will be able to move further up the field.'

Christijan Albers and Adrian Sutil will use the two 90-minute Friday practice sessions at Sepang to test the new parts in representative race conditions.