Today the Spyker Formula One Team returned to the 4.653km Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, Spain, for a further three-day test programme.

Following three days' intensive testing at the same circuit two weeks ago and a second test at Valencia last week, today the team concentrated on improving aerodynamic performance, optimising set-up and conducting race simulations.

The Silverstone based squad had four drivers in action with regular drivers, Christijan Albers and Adrian Sutil covering the morning hours while test drivers Giedo van der Garde and Fairuz Fauzy completed the afternoon session.

"It was OK today, we made good progress and are going in the right direction,” Albers said. “Again today was a learning day, trying to get as much information as possible, and I think it went pretty well. Tomorrow we'll be working on set-up for Melbourne and trying to find as much performance as possible."

Christijan and Adrian completed their allotted programme of set-up work and performance evaluation. Both were pleased with the balance and grip of the car, which was noticeably better this time out in Barcelona.

"This morning we did some set-up work and new tyre runs, plus checking and finding balance,” Adrian added. “Today was effectively the first proper day of testing at Barcelona as last time out we had to run through initial programmes, but now you can really see the benefit of the work we put in in Valencia. The tyres are working much more effectively on the first few laps."

Tomorrow Christijan and Adrian will do a full day's testing, running through a continuation of today's program.