Japan Sunday quotes: Spyker

"We could do a lot of fighting, changing positions quite a lot, and we were so close to getting that first point, but finally we ended up in P9. All the same it's a success for us as we were 14th in Spa and now 9th, so we are getting there. In special weather conditions such as these today I think we are very strong."

Sakon Yamamoto - 12th: "This was a really hard race, probably the toughest I have ever had, because the weather conditions made it really difficult to drive at any kind of speed, even behind the safety car, and when you were following somebody you couldn't even see 20m in front of you.

"I think we also should think of the Japanese fans as they were watching right to the end when it was so cold and wet! I was so pleased that I could finish my home Grand Prix in front of so many people and now I want to finish the next race with an even better result. Also thanks to all the team members as they really supported me today."

Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer: "It's a case of mixed emotions for us. We had a very good day, with a solid performance from both drivers and the team in very difficult conditions, but it's also disappointing not to have picked up a point.

"Once again in wet conditions we proved that we were on top of the strategy, although we were unlucky with Adrian in that the second safety car period fell when he was due to come in and lost us several positions. We were still able to get some of them back, but it was just not quite enough.

"But well done to both drivers; Sakon again drove a very good race and although we can be happy to finish in front of the works Honda and Toyota teams, ultimately it's a disappointment not to have picked up our first point."

Colin Kolles, team principal and managing director: "We're getting there steadily - 14th in Belgium and now 9th here - so I think it proves that the investments we have made and the progress we have taken is finally paying off.

"Of course it is disappointing not to have scored our first points today, but if we keep progressing at the way we have done in the last three races, I do not think they will be far away. China cannot come soon enough for us."