Super-Aguri disappears from the world of F1

The Super-Aguri team announced today that it is withdrawing from the Formula 1 World Championship with immediate effect.

After weeks of rumors about its future, after the collapse of a takeover project by the Magma group, and after a last-minute rescue plan by the German automobile company Weigl Group that apparently was not enough, Super-Aguri leaves only 10 teams to continue this 2008 season.

The team principal, Aguri Suzuki, met with Honda in Japan a few hours ago, but the results of this meeting are conclusive: the team will no longer be present in races.

« I was able to fulfill my dream by becoming the owner of a Formula 1 team when in November 2005, the FIA authorized me to participate in the world championship, » stated Suzuki in a statement released by the team.

« Since then, two seasons and four months have passed, but I must unfortunately inform you that the team will cease its activities as of today. »

Suzuki clarified that the current difficulties stem from the non-payment last year by the team’s main sponsor, SS-United. The financial situation has since continued to deteriorate.

The team scored its first points at the end of its 22nd race and finished in ninth place in the constructors’ championship standings in 2007.

« However, the termination of the contract with our partner SS United Oil & Gas Company led to a loss of financial support, which immediately put the team in a difficult position, » he continued.

« With Honda’s help, we managed to keep the team alive but it is difficult for us to continue our activities in such a competitive environment as F1. Therefore, I have decided that we must withdraw from the championship. »

« I wish to express my deepest sympathy to Honda, Bridgestone, to all the people who have given us advice over the past two years, to the staff who maintained unwavering motivation, to Anthony Davidson who always went above and beyond despite very difficult conditions, to Takuma Sato who has been with us since the beginning. Finally, I think of our fans around the world who have loyally supported the Super-Aguri F1 team. »

Super Aguri made its F1 debut in 2006, after being formed with the help of Honda to keep Takuma Sato in Formula 1. The small team scored its first championship points at the 2007 Spanish Grand Prix. It finished that same year in 9th place in the constructors’ championship.

The team thus leaves only 10 teams on the next starting grid, whereas initially, it was supposed to have 12, or 24 single-seaters, with Prodrive, which hasn’t even been able to secure a Grand Prix.