Former F1 team eyes possible motorsport comeback

Former F1 team Spyker is eyeing a possible return to motorsport in
the future, particularly to the Le Mans 24 Hours. The Dutch
manufacturer, founded in 1999, appeared in Formula 1 across the
final three races of the 2006 season after acquiring the Midland
outfit. It continued in 2007 before being sold to Indian
billionaire Vijay Mallya, with the outfit becoming Force India from
2008. F1 was not Spyker’s only motorsport venture, as it also
competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Le Mans Series, the 12 Hours
of Sebring, and made occasional FIA GT Championship appearances.
Spyker’s final Le Mans appearance came in 2010, which remains its
most recent motorsport outing to date. However, a comeback is
suddenly on the cards. The manufacturer filed for bankruptcy at the
end of 2014 but reversed the decision in early 2015. In 2021, it
went bankrupt again before announcing a return to building sports
cars in 2022. A recent social media video from the Dutch
manufacturer has teased a major return, something Dutch racing
driver Jeroen Bleekemolen has confirmed. «There’s definitely
something going on,» Bleekemolen told RacingNews365. Bleekemolen
made several Le Mans appearances for Spyker. Spyker is currently
developing a new production car, the C8 Preliator, which is due to
be unveiled at Pebble Beach in California later this year. The
project is backed by a fresh group of well-resourced investors, and
with that financial firepower has come the resurrection of a
long-dormant ambition. «Victor Muller (Spyker co-founder) actually
said right away: ‘If we’re starting over, then we’re also going
back to Le Mans,'» Bleekemolen revealed. However, Bleekemolen has
stressed that a return to motorsport remains some way off, with
manufacturers having to meet strict homologation requirements.
«There are still quite a few hurdles to overcome,» he acknowledged.
«But the intention is definitely there.» A long project For
Bleekemolen, the intention is not simply to be an observer of the
project, but rather to get back behind the wheel of a Spyker.
According to the Dutchman, an agreement is already in place with
Muller for him to be one of the drivers should the manufacturer
return to motorsport. «I spoke with Victor a few weeks ago. His
goal is clear. And if we go, I’ll be in that car. That’s what we
agreed on.» Despite that personal commitment, the former Le Mans
competitor is measured about what he is willing to promise
publicly. He is reluctant to put a definitive timeline on the
project and is not prepared to say when Spyker might actually
appear on a grid. «I can’t say right now that we’ll be on the grid
in three years,» he added. «It might take longer. That’s why I’m
being cautious about it.»