Spyker Formula One Team is proud to announce the following drivers as its test and reserve drivers for the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship season:
FAIRUZ FAUZY
Malaysian Fairuz joins the team from GP2 and the A1GP series. He started in karting, securing numerous titles in national and international competitions and later expanded his racing experience when he moved to Europe in 2000 to
compete in Formula Ford and Formula Renault. After gathering valuable single-seater mileage he then started a serious campaign in the British Formula 3 series.
Fairuz campaigned in the national class of the championship in 2002, before graduating to the championship class in 2003. His notable achievements were five podium finishes in the national class and one podium in the championship.
In 2005 Fairuz stepped up to GP2 and now makes his F1 debut as a test and Friday driver with Spyker in 2007.
Fairuz: ” Ever since Formula 1 came to Malaysia, I have dreamed of this opportunity and I am excited to carry the ambitions of my country into the pinnacle of motorsport.”
GIEDO VAN DER GARDE
Giedo, 22 years old from Rhenen, the Netherlands is graduating to Formula 1 from the highly competitive Euro F3 series in which he won two races in 2006 for the ASM team, following in the footsteps of Spyker F1’s new race driver
Adrian Sutil.
Giedo began racing in karts at the age of nine before making the switch to cars in 2003, finishing fourth and best placed rookie in the Dutch Formula Renault 2000 championship.
Giedo joins Spyker F1 as a test and Friday driver.
Giedo:” It’s a proud moment for me to be selected to really start my Formula 1 career with the Dutch Spyker team. I have a lot to learn but this chance will give me everything I need.”
ADRIAN VALLES
Adrian, from Alicante, Spain, started racing karts in 2001. After a strong karting career, he drove in Spanish Formula 3, before moving to the World Series by Nissan in 2004. In 2005, he finished second in the newly-renamed series with two race wins, before moving to GP2 with Campos Racing in 2006, the same year he tested for the MF1 Racing Formula One team.
Adrian now becomes a test and development driver with Spyker F1 for 2007.
Adrian: ” I had a good test with the team last year and I am happy that they have invited me back to play an important role as Spyker starts its ambitious programme.”
MARKUS WINKELHOCK
After finishing second in the Formula Konig championship in 1998, Markus moved up to Formula Renault for two seasons, finishing fourth both years. He then graduated to the ultra-competitive German Formula 3 series, achieving
fourth overall position in the 2003 championship.
For the 2004 season Markus switched to touring cars and the DTM before going back to single-seaters the following year in the World Series by Renault.
In 2006 Markus, followed in the footsteps of his legendary father Manfred into Formula 1, as a test and development driver; a role he continues to hold in 2007.
Marcus: ” I really enjoyed the work which I did with the team last year and I am very pleased to be able to continue the programme this year.”
Michiel Mol, Director of F1, Spyker Cars NV: “The Spyker Team has an important role to play in Formula 1 in creating opportunities for young drivers to perform at the highest level of the sport. It helps to bring new nationalities, extra media and fresh sponsorship to the sport and we are
proud to play our part.”
Colin Kolles, Team Principal: “I initiated our young driver programme when we took over Jordan and already we have seen success with Adrian Sutil graduating to a race driving position in the team. I also think it is a good reflection on how our team operates that we are able to bring out the best in these young drivers. It is an important part of what we do and I am confident that there will also be long-term benefit both to the team and Formula 1.”