Adrian Sutil has been given a chance to shine as he is to partner Christijan Albers in the Spyker F1 team next season. The 23-year-old German will replace the outgoing Tiago Monteiro who had expected to race for the team in 2007.
Sutil impressed the newly renamed team with his Friday drives at the European, French and Japanese GP and managed to lift the Japanese F3 title this year. This news ends weeks of speculation as to who was to partner Albers at the Spyker team.
It is believed that Colin Kolles, Team Boss with the Silverstone-based team, admiration for Sutil’s talents led to him being given the seat.
“This is a great signing for team but also a proud one for me personally,” Kolles said. “Adrian made his F3 debut with Team Kolles in 2004 and quite obviously had huge potential when he scored his first pole position in his third race. “He has driven for two great teams since then and matured very quickly.”
Sutil admitted he was shocked, as well as delighted, by the news.
“I really enjoyed being in the F1 paddock this year and to be honest I thought I would be a test driver in 2007,” he said. “Colin Kolles and (team owner) Michiel Mol have been fantastically patient and supportive while this package became reality.”
“I look forward to repaying their faith in me but right now I’m just going to enjoy the best Christmas present ever.”
