Q&A: Michiel Mol - EXCLUSIVE.

by Russell Atkins

When the Spyker-Ferrari F8-VII takes to the starting grid in Melbourne in just over a month's time, it will make history as the first Dutch-run outfit ever to compete in the top flight. It is a moment Michiel Mol is awaiting with great anticipation.

The team's director has overseen a number of positive changes since Spyker Cars bought out the former Jordan and Midland operation last September, and is hopeful sensible progress can now finally be made after a tumultuous two years for the squad. Here he tells us how he sees the campaign unfolding...

Q:
Michiel, first of all how are you looking forward to the season ahead?

Michiel Mol:
Tremendously. After years of being only a bit involved in Formula One I cannot wait for 18 March when our first Spyker Formula One car will be racing around the track in Melbourne.

Q:
The launch of the F8-VII must have been a particularly proud moment for you?

MM:
Yes. It was a great moment; actually we are having a lot of great moments, which is what makes it such a fantastic business. The unveiling of our first car was a very special occasion for me, but the first race in March will be even more spectacular.

Q:
How much hard work has gone on since Spyker bought the team back in September?

MM:
It's been incredible, 24 hours a day and seven days a week for each and everybody involved. When we came in there were a little over 200 people working here. That has grown to 260 already, and I really appreciate the amount of energy and enthusiasm every single person at Spyker has put in to make this possible.

Q:
There have been a lot of changes at the team over the past couple of years, but things seem finally to have settled down a little bit now. What effect has the arrival of people like Mike Gascoyne had on things?

MM:
Mike is here for the long-term, and that again I think constitutes a big step forward towards reaching our ambitions. The same goes for our four-year Ferrari engine deal. We have also got a young driver programme going to get young talent on-board; we have got the necessary funding and sponsors and partners. I think we are taking the correct steps to take the team to the next level.

Q:
How much of a step forward are you expecting the new car to be over last year's?

MM:
That's always difficult. The F8-VII will be a big step forward from what we had last year, but so will all the others. I think we shouldn't expect too many fireworks at the beginning - it's very clear the new car has a lot of potential, but a big part of that is still undeveloped. By the time we launch our B-spec car mid-season then I think we will be able to fight seriously in the midfield.

Q:
On the driving front in 2007 you have Christijan Albers and Adrian Sutil. Christijan obviously is a Dutch driver in a Dutch team with the hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders. What do you expect from him this year?

MM:
Christijan really has to deliver this year. He has been around for a few years now and has shown his skill and talent; now he has to perform but he knows that. He is fitter than ever too.

Q:
What are your hopes for Adrian's debut season? He won the Japanese F3 Championship last year and obviously has a lot of potential...

MM:
I think he is a great talent. I'm not really the expert, but all the sport's real insiders who I've spoken to who have been around for dozens of years see a big future for Adrian, so I'm very happy we were able to connect him to our team for a long time.

Q:
And you must be hoping if he can push Christijan that will naturally drive the whole team forward at the same time too?

MM:
Definitely, yes. I hope to see a good Dutch-German fight there!

Q:
You mentioned Spyker's young driver programme earlier. You have four test-drivers this year in the shape of Markus Winkelhock, Adrian Valles, Giedo van der Garde and Fairuz Fauzy. How important is it to you to nurture young talent in this way?

MM:
It's always been in my nature of doing business. In every business I've been in I have always tried to get a good combination of young talent and more experienced people to help motivate and educate them. What I really like best in a company is to have a few really experienced guys and a lot of young talent.

Q:
You are predicting maybe a difficult start to the season for Spyker, but once it gets underway and you roll the B-spec car out what are your overall hopes and expectations?

MM:
Definitely to score some points this year. In the first part of the season I think when there's an opportunity then we should be professional enough to take it, but in the second half of the year I think we should be able to really fight and be a midfield contender like we want to be in 2008.