Adrian PatonSayonara: Super Aguri F1 Team
May 7th 2008 22:15
Once in a while, we feel compelled to bring you the latest news from the world of motorsport and the demise of the Super Aguri F1 Team is most worthy of a post on ZCars.
The struggling Honda-funded F1 team has announced that it is ending its participation in Formula 1 with immediate effect due to financial difficulties - a 'breach of contract by the promised partner SS United Oil & Gas Company resulted in the loss of financial backing and immediately put the team into financial difficulties'.
Although there were rumours of an 11th hour buyout offer for Super Aguri from German automotive firm Weigl, Honda apparently wasn't too keen on this arrangement which left Super Aguri team principal Aguri Suzuki no choice but to pull out of F1.
Super Aguri's two drivers, Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato, will be left without a seat for the rest of the season while the number of teams and vehicles on the starting grid will be reduced to 10 and 20 respectively for the rest of 2008.
The Official Super Aguri Press Release:
Super Aguri Formula One Team has today announced its withdrawal from the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Participating in Formula One since the 2006 season, the Team, which scored its first championship points after only 22 races (Spanish Grand Prix, 2007) and finished ninth overall in the 2007 Constructors’ Championship, will cease all activities as of 6th May 2008.
Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM
“In order to realize my dream to become an owner of a Formula One Team, I applied for a grid position in the FIA Formula One World Championship in November 2005. Since then, I have participated in the championship for 2 years and 4 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 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 to establish a way to continue the activities in the future within the environment surrounding F1 and as a result, I have concluded to withdraw from the Championship.
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.”
[Source: Super Aguri]
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