Spyker delay new F1 car after crash test failure

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Istanbul, Aug 23: The struggling Spyker Formula One team said today they had delayed the introduction of their revised car until next month after it failed a rear impact crash test.

The team said at the Turkish Grand Prix, where the B specification car was to have made its race debut on Sunday, that the car would be launched at the Italian Grand Prix instead.

''It's obviously very disappointing to delay the launch,'' said technical director Mike Gascoyne in a statement.

''Unfortunately last week we had an unexpected failure of the rear crash test, possibly due to problems with a batch of material used.

''All the structures we had to test were from this batch and the modifications we tried to make were not sufficient,'' added the Briton.

''We are confident that we understand the problem however and should be able to pass with no problems next week.'' The Dutch-owned team, who have yet to score a point this season and are 11th and last in the constructors' championship, had expected a significant performance increase from the new design.

The setback will only add to the troubles afflicting a cash-strapped team, originally Jordan and then Midland, who are again seeking new owners.

Dutch sports car maker Spyker, who are now on their third chief executive since buying the team from Midland last year, said this month that they were considering selling all or part of the team as part of a refinancing plan and strategic review.

Team boss Colin Kolles said the Ferrari-powered team's immediate future was secure however.

''The team will continue to exist,'' he told Reuters. ''I am confident the team will be here next year.'' Spyker's current drivers are German rookie Adrian Sutil and Japan's Sakon Yamamoto.

Reuters>