Spyker tests 'hybrid' F8-VII.

The Spyker F1 team moved a step closer towards launching its new B-spec car at Silverstone on Wednesday, when test driver, Giedo van der Garde took to the track and ran with the new rear end and gearbox that will be used on the upgraded machine.

Despite the weather, which was rather mixed, van der Garde completed 151 laps in total on the short Stowe Circuit configuration of the Northamptonshire-based track - just under 200 kilometres.

The team reported that they had no major mechanical problems.

"It was good to get back in the car, if only for a short time," said van der Garde. "Today we tested the new rear end of the car and we didn't have any problems at all - apart from the weather!

"It's difficult to get a feel for the car on such a short track, but the fact it ran reliably from the start is a big plus point."

Spyker's chief race and test engineer, Dominic Harlow meanwhile was happy with what they achieved as they continue work on the B-spec car ahead of its planned introduction at the end of August in Turkey.

"Today's test saw the introduction of a new rear end package as part of the team's development programme for this year's car," he explained. "The new systems ran faultlessly through the day and a good deal of information was collected to allow us to move on to the next stage of our plan for improving the performance of the Spyker F8-VII."