London, England - Ferrari-powered Spyker has dropped Christijan Albers due to non-payment by one of his main sponsors.
Albers was in his second year with the Silverstone-based team after making his debut with Minardi in 2005. He has been outperformed in the first half of 2007 by rookie team mate Adrian Sutil, although neither has finished higher than 13th.
Spyker has yet to score a point in nine races.
The team said an announcement on Albers' replacement and the financial conditions would be made in due course.
Team principal Colin Kolles said: "This has been a very difficult decision.
"Christijan has started to find some form in the car but the team's development programme has been compromised by non-payment of one of his sponsors and we are faced with no other option."
The team is owned by Dutch luxury sportscar manufacturer Spyker, which bought Midland F1 after it in turn took over the ailing Jordan. Spyker has always been open about its drivers needing to bring funding with them.
Spyker F1 director Michiel Mol said the possibility of entering into a new contract with another driver would safeguard the team's financial position.
"We do not expect this will have any adverse effect on Spyker F1's financial result this year," said Mol.
"We would also like to stress this decision has nothing to do with Christijan's recent performances - we still have faith in his contribution as a driver - but the long term future of the team is of paramount importance."
- Reuters