Christijan Albers will remain with the Spyker M F1 next season after the team confirmed an extension to his current deal at the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday.    

The 27-year-old Dutchman joined the former Midland team at the start of the season and his future was all-but secured when the outfit was recently taken over by Dutch investors Spyker.

"This is just crazily exciting," said Albers, "First I get to keep my place in the team, then it becomes a Dutch team and, best of all, they've agreed to pay me! It doesn't get better than that going into the third year of my F1 career."

"Obviously I am delighted with the new ownership and their commitment to the technical development of the team with the arrival of Mike Gascoyne and the new engine package which will be announced shortly," he added.

Spyker Director Michiel Mol said they were "delighted and proud to have a Dutch driver as a Dutch team."

"Christijan has definitely earned his place in the team with some stirring performances which have more than justified the faith both I and his other sponsors have had in him during his career."

Albers also told his personal website that he expected the team to reveal the identity of its new engine partner in the near future, with paddock whispers suggesting that the deal could be struck in Shanghai this weekend.

With Toyota heading to Williams for 2007, Spyker has been linked with the Grove team's Cosworth supply, but also with a possible tie-up with Ferrari, which shares a common shareholder with Spyker.

Editor: Donald