After the British Grand Prix two weeks ago, Spyker Formula One Team announced that they will not be going to the European Grand Prix with Christijan Albers as their second driver. The reason given by the racing outfit is that one of the Dutch sponsors failed to pay.
After Albers' departure from the team, different names have surfaced as to who will be driving for Spyker at the European Grand Prix. Among the names that have been mentioned as the possible replacement for the Dutch driver was Austrian Christian Klien. But prior to the weekend event, Spyker announced that German Markus Winkelhock will be making his debut at the European Grand Prix.
It is imperative that Winkelhock's first tour of duty should impress Spyker. After all, Klien has more experience behind the wheel of a Formula One car. During the Friday practice sessions though, the debuting rookie failed to step up to his game. The German posted the slowest lap times in both morning and afternoon practice sessions.
Although his practice session saw him spinning his car during the afternoon practice session, the German said that it was a good day for him despite being the slowest of the lot. "Actually today was not too bad, especially considering I had only tested the car for one day this year before coming here," said Winkelhock.
Winkelhock's resume includes a stint at the German Formula Three Championship where he made his first mark in the open wheel racing sport. He also raced at the German DTM. He also participated in the World Series by Renault in 2005.
"I felt I went better throughout the day and I felt confident with the car after just a few laps. Step by step we improved, but unfortunately I was pushing too hard in the second session and span into the gravel," he said of his spin on the afternoon practice session.
Despite his 22nd place at both practice sessions, Winkelhock, who is one of the five German drivers that will participate on Sunday's race, is confident that he can do better in the qualifying session. "We lost around 25 minutes of the session, which was unlucky, but at the end of the day I was not that far off Adrian, who I think has been very quick this year. But I know where I am losing the time and I think I can improve again tomorrow."
Although a rookie in Formula One, his experience in other formula racing sport could give him the breakout race that he is looking for. Spyker's cars though are not as reliable as judging by the frequency of retirement for the team in the past nine races leading to the Euro Grand Prix. The No. 20 car for the team with Ferrari engines retired for four races this season as well as the No. 21 car that Winkelhock will be driving on Saturday and Sunday.
Winkelhock will be teaming up with Adrian Sutil, another German Formula One driver. The more experienced Sutil commented that his new teammate did well in the practice sessions. "I think he did a good job this morning," said Sutil in an interview with German Formula One broadcaster Premiere. "He should be completely happy with it," he added.
