Rookie Sutil 'not yet at 100% limit'

[davewilson]

Rookie Adrian Sutil admits he is not yet driving on the limit in Spyker’s new car due to his lack of Formula 1 experience.

The 24-year-old German’s recent outings in the Ferrari-powered F8-VII were his first in an F1 car since he served as the team’s Friday driver at last year’s Japanese Grand Prix.

To date, he has accumulated just nine days and approximately 800km in F1 machinery – in contrast to the 86 days and 30,000-plus km of fellow 2007 rookie Heikki Kovalainen.

As a result, Sutil knows he faces a steep learning curve – but says he already feels comfortable in the new Spyker.

“I learned a lot in Barcelona [last Monday],” he told the team’s official website.

“I did 83 laps and it was a really good day, although I’m not at the 100% limit yet.

“But I feel really good in the car and I feel quick, and I’m doing consistent lap times.

“It was also my first time in Barcelona, but it was not that difficult to learn.

“For the first real test day for the car, it was not too bad.”

Spyker elected not to field an interim car for testing in the run-up to Christmas, preferring to concentrate on factory-based work on the F8-VII.

As a result, the team has precious little experience of the 2007-spec Bridgestone tyres – a factor which Sutil acknowledges is a handicap.

“We have limited data for the tyres, so at the moment we are struggling to heat the tyres up,” he said.

“It’s hard for everybody, but especially us, because we had no testing with them until now.

“The others had all the winter to learn about the tyres, but we are starting with both a new car and new tyres.

“It’s difficult, but we have to do our best.”

Despite the lack of Bridgestone experience, Sutil is confident that the F8-VII will prove to be a competitive tool.

“It’s early so it’s hard to say,” he said.

“But I really think there is some potential in the car.

“I think we can go more to the front.

“I’ll keep on working hard and pushing the guys.”

The Stig