PICS: Spyker returns orange to F1 grid.

The three Spyker MF1 cars will feature a new livery from the Chinese Grand Prix next weekend, having rolled out at the current Silverstone test in silver and orange.

The previous red, white and grey paint scheme inherited from Midland has been ditched in favour of a more patriotic livery for the team's new Dutch owners, and appeared for the first time as GP2 Series driver Adrian Valles made his F1 debut in the M16 at Silverstone. Spyker was forced to run the car in its previous colours at Monza, having only agreed its acquisition of MF1 from Midland on the Saturday night of the grand prix weekend. The cars also bore the names of two new sponsors, added to the roster on Monday.

"It is quite amazing what a change of colours and design can do to the appearance of a Formula One car," Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller commented, "They are, by nature, elegant and fit for purpose but, with the right colours and design, one can underline these qualities to the point that they become breath-taking. I am very pleased with the result and thank the other teams and FIA for their cooperation to make this livery change possible at such short notice."

Although a familiar choice in the days of patriotic liveries, orange has not been seen in Formula One since the demise of Arrows, which was backed by the telecoms company of the same name. Designed by the team's product designer Rob Taylor, the orange-and-silver colouration combines plain black sponsor branding, and makes Spyker unique in a Formula One field dominated by red, blue and white. The decision to employ Orange as the main colour was logical given both the team's Dutch background - orange is Holland's national sporting colour - and the livery of its GT sportscars.

"We are really happy to change the livery to orange and silver," team director Michiel Mol confirmed, "The orange colour symbolises our Dutch roots whilst, at the same time, making for an attractive colour scheme that is easily discernable on the grid. My compliments to the team. It is impressive how motivated everybody is and how the team moves forward. In China, we will have a complete new look and feel, which is very appealing."

Christijan Albers and Tiago Monteiro will pilot the reliveried cars on their race debut in Shanghai next weekend, but the identity of the team's third driver remains undecided, although former Red Bull protege Christian Klien is strongly tipped to get the seat.

"It is fantastic for the team to implement such a fresh and unique livery and design in time for the Chinese Grand Prix," team principal Colin Kolles concluded, "We hope that, with a good performance on track and this striking new design, combined with Spyker's phenomenal brand awareness in China, we will cause a stir among our Chinese fans.

"The new colours have helped to raise morale within the team and there is real excitement and anticipation to see what we can achieve in Shanghai and the remaining races this season."

For further images of the new Spyker livery CLICK HERE