Spyker to skip testing this year

The team believe that they are better off skipping the three three-day tests planned before Christmas to work flat out on their 2007 design, rather than waste resources and effort on an interim car that would be needed to accommodate their new Ferrari engine.

Team principal Colin Kolles told Spyker-MF1's official website that he was comfortable with the plans.

"Before Christmas we have no testing plans, we are developing our car in the factory," he said. "We could have an engine, that's not the main problem, but it makes no sense for us to have an interim car."

"We prefer to put all our resources into aero development. And we are quite familiar with the Bridgestone tyre family. We would prefer to have an upgrade during the season than have an interim car now."

Kolles has also revealed that the team are planning a major recruitment drive to increase their quality of personnel, as well as an upgrade of their wind tunnel facilities.

"We are definitely looking for some more people, but we have a very selective way of doing it," he explained.  "We just have to concentrate on working efficiently as possible.

"I think we are very efficient anyway, but we have to continue this and even improve it. There won't be a big increase. I prefer to have better quality than quantity, but I know that others think in a different way.

"As far as I remember when Williams won their last World Championship in 1997 there were around 300 people, and now there are more than 500. This is not necessarily the right way."

He added: "And we are upgrading the wind tunnel. It is going up to 50%, we've rented another wind tunnel, and we're looking into another wind tunnel too. Definitely our main emphasis is on aerodynamic development."

Spyker-MF1 have still to confirm who Christijan Albers' teammate next season will be, with Tiago Monteiro remaining favourite for the driver.

Kolles said: "As I've always said, we have several options. We will have a decision soon, I think."