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Written by:
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05/06/2008 - 07:56 AM
Leafield, UK
Suzuki's dream of F1 team ownership comes to an end. (LAT Photo) ยป More Photos
The Super Aguri team has withdrawn from the World Championship, and has closed its doors as of today.
The news came just days after team vehicles were denied access to the Istanbul paddock, where practice for the Turkish GP begins on Friday. Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson are now both without drives, but the latter retains strong links with Honda Racing, and may at least have the chance to do some testing.
The team has been a major drain on the resources of Honda, and a last-minute buyout proposal from German company Weigl Group had failed to come to fruition.
In a statement boss Aguri Suzuki said: “In order to realize my dream to become an owner of a Formula 1 team, I applied for a grid position in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in November 2005. Since then, I have participated in the championship for two years and four months as the Super Aguri F1 team, but regretfully I must inform you that the team will be ceasing its racing activities as of today.
“The team has competed against the many car manufacturer-backed teams and has succeeded in obtaining the first points after only the 22nd race finishing in 9th place overall in the 2007 Constructors’ Championship. However, the breach of contract by the promised partner SS United Oil & Gas Company [in 2007] resulted in the loss of financial backing and immediately put the team into financial difficulties. Also, the change in direction of the environment surrounding the team, in terms of the use of customer chassis, has affected our ability to find partners.
“Meanwhile, with the help of Honda, we have somehow managed to keep the team going, but we find it difficult
“I would like to express my deepest thanks to Honda, Bridgestone, the sponsors, all the people who have given us advise during various situations over the past couple of years all the team staff who have kept their motivations high and always done their best, Anthony Davidson who has always pushed to the limit despite the very difficult conditions, Takuma Sato who has been with us from the very start and has always fought hard and led the team and lastly our fans from all over the world who have loyally supported the Super Aguri F1 Team.”
Aguri’s withdrawal drops the F1 grid to 20 cars, from an expected 24 for this year – Prodrive’s entry also collapsed, mostly thanks to the move towards stricter customer-car regulations. As for the proposed deal with Weigl, Suzuki claimed on a news conference in Japan that his team just ran out of time. It is also believed that Honda was not keen on the Weigl offer.
“We simply ran out of time to put together a deal with Weigl," Suzuki said, adding that the fallout of the proposed takeover by DIC from Dubai and the Magma group happened too late into the season. Magma pulled out suddenly, and without any explanation, and since then I have been flying all over the world talking to other companies but was unable to secure a deal.
“Financially it was just impossible to continue in F1 with the enormous budgets needed today. We did reach a basic agreement with Weigl but were always battling against time.”
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