Spyker likely to alter third driver plans

The Silverstone-based team are introducing a major aerodynamic revamp of their F8-VII for Sepang, which team insiders believe could be worth around half a second per lap. Such a step forward should lift the team onto the pace of the cars ahead of them.

The team had previously been set to run Fairuz Fauzy and Giedo van der Garde in Friday morning's practice session in Malaysia, but with the outfit skipping this week's Sepang test, autosport.com understands that they now want to give their race drivers as much mileage as possible with the revised car.

That means Albers and Sutil are likely to run for the entire Friday practice in Malaysia.

Albers is confident that he will get quicker as soon as he gets more comfortable in the car.

"It's only a question of Christijan Albers feeling comfortable again, and getting a reasonable set-up where he can perform again," he said.

"Everything has to come together, and then when that is done you can get comfortable again. And if you get comfortable, you're quick."