F1: Aguri relying on Honda for survival?

[Rory Phoulorie]

Friday, 22nd February 2008

Team boss Suzuki to ask for help in survival bid?


The cash-strapped Super Aguri F1 team could be going cap in hand to engine partner Honda in a last-ditch attempt to secure its place on the Formula One grid this season.

Aguri Suzuki's tiny team has endured several knocks in its two years in the top flight, but now appears to be on the brink ahead of the 2008 campaign, with reports of sponsorship struggles coming amid the cancellation of its planned launch and no-shows at testing.

Writing in the UK's Guardian newspaper, Crash.net columnist Alan Henry claims that Suzuki flew to Tokyo on Thursday for crisis talks with Honda in a final effort to secure the future of his team, which was set up with support from the motoring giant in an attempt to appease Japanese fans angered by the dropping of Takuma Sato in favour of Rubens Barrichello in 2006.

After a tough debut season, things appeared rosier for Super Aguri in 2007 as it unveiled new sponsors ahead of the Australian Grand Prix
and added former Honda test driver Anthony Davidson to its line-up alongside Sato. The Japanese driver the proceeded to score points in both Spain and Canada, but a defaulted payment from the team's title backer preceded a tough end to the year, with development of the Honda-based SA07 canned and doubts being cast on the 2008 campaign.

Despite rumours that the team has completed its own car for the coming season - and has reported that it has passed the necessary FIA safety tests - Super Aguri cancelled its planned launch set for Tuesday this week, and then had to shelve a planned replacement Q&A session with key team members Suzuki and Mark Preston after it decided not to attend the current group test in Spain. The team has yet to confirm its line-up for 2008, with Davidson's place thought to be in danger should it land a driver who can bring the sponsorship necessary to see out the season.

Although Honda faces its own struggle to return to the front of the grid after a dismal 2007 campaign, Suzuki is hoping that, in addition to the commitment it has to supplying engines for the SA08, the Japanese giant can help to prop up his operation in other ways. Honda has already said that it would rather see Sato and Davidson in the cockpit this season rather than an unproven or unrated 'pay driver'.

The Leafield-based team has been linked to several potential buyers and investors, including Spaniard Alejandro Agag, Russian Roustam Tariko and the Indian Spice Energy group, but seems yet to have found the right deal to ensure its continued participation in the top flight.

crash.net

[Rory Phoulorie]

In the 1980s and early 1990s, F1 teams used to be going home after pre-qualifying. A starting grid used to have 26 cars. Now F1 is struggling to get a grid of 22 cars.

These so called cost cutting measures do not seem to have the desired effect as the independent teams are struggling to get by.