By Spyker MF1 Media
October 1 2006

After great positive performances off the track during the weekend, the debut of a new livery, confirmation of Christijan Albers for 2007 and a Ferrari engine deal the third Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai was a disappointing damp squib for the Spyker MF1 Team.

On a soaking wet track at the start of the race both drivers struggled valiantly in the tricky conditions. Ultimately Christijan Albers came home in 16th place while Tiago Monteiro spun out after 38 laps.

Tiago Monteiro:
"It's always frustrating to drop out of a race but it's the first time in 35 starts that I had an unforced error. Under today's sort of conditions you can expect things like this to happen. I think the decision to change to dry tyres came at a good time but you have to be extra cautious but due to aquaplaning I spun and stalled. Up until then I was having a reasonably good race, enjoying a good fight with Rosberg and one of the Toro Rosso cars; I am sorry to the team for my mistake and am looking forward to making amends in Japan."

Christijan Albers:
"Unfortunately this has really been a race to forget. During the weekend there were some great developments for the team off track and I just wished I could have achieved something to compliment these. Now I just want to get to Suzuka and prove again what we are really capable of achieving."

Dominic Harlow, Head of race and test engineering:
"We didn't think the weather conditions were in our favour for this race - it felt more like Spa than Shanghai! The drivers struggled for grip under the wet conditions early on and although we made good decisions with regards to tyre changes we weren't able to capitalise on these. Tiago went to dry tyres at just the right time but unfortunately spun and for Christijan the problems continued throughout the race."

Colin Kolles, Team Principal:
"It was a shame that with such a great amount of excitement and anticipation within the team after our various announcements this weekend that we couldn't perform in the race. I genuinely believe that we do have a package capable of being more competitive than we showed today and hopefully dry races in Japan and Brazil will show this."

Race Classification:

Tiago Monteiro (POR), Car #18 (Chassis: M16-03) Grid Position: 20th Classification: DNF, 38 Laps completed. Fastest Lap: 1:45.356 on Lap 35 (+7.770 on fastest race lap)

Christijan Albers (NED), Car #19 (Chassis: M16-02) Grid Position: 22nd Classification: 17th, 53 Laps completed (+3 Laps) Fastest Lap: 1:41.483 on Lap 50 (+3.899 on fastest race lap)