Spyker drivers hoping for better Saturday

"It was a difficult day as the track was very dirty at the beginning of the day and I had a lot of oversteer," said Sutil, driving at the Montreal circuit for the first time.

"It was just in the last 20 minutes that we started to get a good set-up and improve the balance and I could start to drive with some more confidence and push.

"It was very difficult to find the right set-up as conditions changed and the brake set-up was different to all the other circuits I have driven on. The softer tyre also started to grain very quickly but in the end we found something that will help.

"We still have some work to do tomorrow, when hopefully we will have a better day," added the German after posting the second slowest time in the afternoon.

Sutil finished right behind teammate Albers, who was happier after feeling more comfortable behind the wheel of the Ferrari-powered car.

"It was a hard day today, but it was good all the same," he said. "We are getting closer with the set-up and I am getting more comfortable in the car as we found something in the set-up.

"We will see tomorrow for qualifying, it's maybe too early to make predictions, but hopefully we will continue along this line to get stronger and stronger from now on."