The Spyker MF1 team had a normal Friday at the Shanghai International circuit apart from one thing, the appearance of GP2 driver Alexander Prémat. The young Frenchman had a very successful outing in the third car completing a total of fifty laps overall, twenty-four in the opening hour and twenty six in the second, to finish fifteenth overall. This was Alex’s debut at the Chinese track and only his second time behind the wheel of an F1 contender.

"I am very happy about today and it was really amazing to drive an F1 car once again,” he said at the end of the day. “During the first and second session it was really exciting; the team did a great job with the new tyre even though it was not very easy to drive in the afternoon. I think the team can make the right decisions with what I achieved in the car."

Team boss Colin Kolles was very pleased to see Alex having a successful day but the focus has now turned to today and ensuring that their two regular drivers, Tiago Monteiro and re-signed Christijan Albers secure the best possible grid positions.