Spyker test driver Adrian Valles says he is hopeful of driving for the Dutch team in official practice next Friday ahead of the Spanish grand prix.
The 20-year-old Spaniard is not flavour of the moment at the Silverstone based squad at present after heavily damaging the only F8-VII single seater at the Barcelona test.
But he told the Spanish newspaper El Mundo that Spyker chiefs are currently deciding whether to buck the trend of the season and sit out a race driver for Friday practice at the Circuit de Catalunya.
“I will know in the coming days,” Valles said.
He indicated that his prospects of the drive appear positive.
“When I spoke to the team before this test they said it was essential that I gather enough kilometres so that I qualify for the Super License,” Valles said.
We can confirm that, despite his heavy shunt on Monday which was apparently caused by a brake disc problem, Valles did indeed pass the mandatory 300km mark and should therefore obtain the necessary FIA document.
The only spanner in the works for Valles may be a lingering stiff neck; a slight injury triggered by the 240kmh side-impact into the barriers.
Valles said that, accident aside, he was “very happy” with his performance at the test.
“And so is the team,” he added. “I adapted quickly to the car, drove consistently and was quicker than (Giedo) van der Garde.”
