Super Aguri will be at the start of the Melbourne race

Super-Aguri has confirmed that its cars will be on the starting grid for the opening Grand Prix of the Formula 1 season in Australia on March 16.

The Japanese team has once again withdrawn from the latest preseason tests as talks continue with potential investors. They also mentioned that certain parts of the new car are to be scrapped.

« The cancellation of these parts is explained by the fact that several of them would not arrive in time for Melbourne, » said Fumio Akita, co-owner of Super-Aguri to Reuters.

« We fight every day to be ready for the start of the season. »

« It was very ‘tense’ last year, and for this season, it seems that this is also the trend. But we will be on the starting grid in Melbourne. We are not worried about that. »

Aguri Suzuki, the team principal, still hopes to attract investors who can help improve the performance of a team that has the smallest budget in Formula 1.

« The talks are still ongoing and to date there are three potential investors, » added Akita.

Obviously, we must think about the future of Super-Aguri and what is best for the team.

The Indian group Spice was in discussions last month with Aguri about a possible participation of their company, while Akita has not ruled out a complete takeover of the team.

« The buyout could be 100%. But obviously, all participation from sponsors or investors in our infrastructure aims to improve the team’s performance, » he said.

« Afterward, the number of shares would depend on the investor’s conditions. And even if it’s 100%, no one can get rid of the team with a wave of a magic wand. »

« If we lose Aguri Suzuki, then Honda, the team that provides our engines, would leave with him. On the other hand, if the investors joining us propose BMW engines, then that’s a completely different story. »

« It is therefore important to understand that a 100% acquisition does not automatically mean the disappearance of the owner or the team name, » concluded Akita.