Yamamoto in at Spyker
July 30th 2007 02:05
Sakon Yamamoto
Yamamoto raced eleven races for the Super Aguri team last season, again in a replacement capacity, after Yuji Ide was shown the door halfway throught he season.
Spyker technical director Mike Gascoyne explained the decision yesterday.
"Obviously Spyker is a team that was looking for a driver with experience of the circuits where we were going to race," he said.
"There's also financial considerations, so we wanted a driver both with experience and that could bring some finance to the team."Thankfully Sakon was able to do both of those," he added.
Yamamoto, who raced in the GP2 series this year, will be the fourth driver to race a Spyker this season, after Marcus Winkelhock partnered regular driver Adrian Sutil for his home Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.
But it is the former Aguri racer's experience that earned him the seat for the remaining seven races.
"I think one of the key important factors in the decision was the fact that he's raced on all the circuits that we have left in the season, so that was absolutely essential to the decision," said Gascoyne.
Yamamoto, who tested for the Spyker team's precedessor, Jordan in 2005 said: "I am very pleased to get the opportunity to race in Formula 1 again. I know all the circuits we are going to very well, having raced at them with Aguri last year."
"I also know the team from my test in 2005 so I feel ready for the chance. I want to do the best I can and help the team achieve their objective of moving up the field. I'm looking forward to working with them," he said
Gascoyne believes that the combination of Sutil and Yamamoto will work well together.
"Two young drivers, both with half a season of experience, I'm sure we won't have any problems," he said
"Obviously the ideal thing in Formula 1 is to have continuity all season." he added
"The switch has been forced upon us, but now I think we have a steady pairing for the second half of the season, so I don't think it will put us at a disadvantage."
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