On a historic day in Formula One that saw 7 time World Champion Michael Schumacher retire from the sport; Spyker MF1 Team closed the book on their own season with two more race finishes.
The bright and breezy conditions in Sao Paulo mixed with a hugely passionate crowd to watch Brazilian Felipe Massa win on home soil. The Spyker MF1 M16 car again showed its competitive potential by pushing the team's nearest rivals throughout the race.
At the end an unsettled season the former Midland F1 Racing squad are looking forward to returning to Formula One in Melbourne as the all-new Spyker F1 Team. The distinctive Orange and Silver livery run in China, Japan and Brazil has given a sneak preview to the team that will arrive ready for action in the 2007 Formula One World Championship 5 months from now.
Tiago Monteiro: "Here we are, we have finished the last race of the season. We took a gamble with the strategy and it wasn't too far from paying out. We had expected the safety car and had it come at the right moment we would have had a better result. The car behaved very well, even under heavy fuel. It was a really intense race for me as I had a lot of track fighting with a number of cars, which meant I was really pushing from the beginning to the end. I enjoyed the race and I want to thank every body here at the team for these great two seasons including Alex Shnaider, Colin Kolles, Michiel Mol and Victor Muller for having faith in me and I look forward to starting testing and announcing something very soon."
Christijan Albers: "We already knew at the start of this weekend that our pace was not going to be as competitive as the last two races. It was still good for two Spyker cars to finish the race. I think it was a reasonable result but not good enough performance wise. Let us use this as a good moment to really push for next year and concentrate on the new car in 2007."
Dominic Harlow, (Head of race and test engineering): "It was good to have two cars at the finish as we had decided to run two different strategies which actually played out very close together. We had hoped for a break of some kind as we would have been able to capitalise on any track incidents. This didn't happen in the end but both drivers did a good job getting the cars to the finish."
Colin Kolles, (Team Principal): "The end of the season finally seals a great deal of hard work by the entire staff of Midland F1 Racing and now the Spyker MF1 Team. Throughout the last year everybody at the factory in Silverstone and the wind tunnel in Brackley has worked tirelessly to produce a competitive package. It has been another interesting year but I can feel real optimism as we look towards 2007 and our arrival as the Spyker F1 Team. I would also like to thank Toyota for their commitment to our campaign this season and wish them well for the future."
Michiel Mol (Director of Formula One, Spyker Cars NV): "I think its time to thank the team for all the hard work they have done this year. There have been a lot of changes and I am really looking forward to a good year next year. After a good night's sleep I think our thoughts will turn to 2007 to ensure we make it a good one."
Victor Muller, (Chief Executive Officer, Spyker Cars NV): "First of all, thanks to the team who have performed fantastically. My thoughts immediately turn to next season where we will have a new car and a new engine partner, Ferrari, with whom work has already begun and we have started an intense and fruitful co-operation. A year lies ahead with tremendous potential and opportunities and in which we will see the gradual influence of Mike Gascoyne's entry into our team. I just can't wait to be in Melbourne in March."
