80 replies to this topic

[Jez]

Some good news hfor SA hopefully-Link

The financially embattled formula one team Super Aguri has been saved by a mystery investor, reports on Tuesday said. The German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport is claiming that the Honda backed outfit, run by former Japanese grand prix driver Aguri Suzuki, will make the trip to Melbourne for next weekend's season opener after reaching a deal with the rumoured buyer.

The publication said the deal, believed to be headed by a British company and a Middle Eastern sponsor, and possibly some German involvement, could be confirmed this week. Auto Motor und Sport added that while Suzuki has relinquished his entire 100 per cent shareholding, he will still be the team boss and the outfit will not be renamed. Additionally, Takuma Sato is reportedly assured his c#ckpit for 2008 and 2009, with his teammate this season to again be Anthony Davidson.

Honda is to remain as chassis and engine partner, with Super Aguri to race last year's works RA107 - mated with the rear end of the 2008 Honda - at the beginning of this season, Auto Motor und Sport continued. Later in the year, meanwhile, the team will reportedly get its hands on the entire RA108.

[Jez]

Double post.

Edited by Jez, 04 March 2008 - 11:28 PM.

[goferrarigo]

Hmm... Interesting. But still with the lack of testing and shadowee future. It still seems like a tough season for Super Aguri

[HandyNZL]

A Englishman, a German, and a Middle Eastern man all walk into a bar....

[aussief1]

Interesting developments. I always thought that SAF1 would be using the RA107, but the news that interested me most is that they could quite possibly be using RA108 by seasons end. They know the RA107 is going to be a hand full, so it makes good sense to jump into an RA108 as soon as possible. Obviously a fair amount of cash would have been involved for this to happen.

The battle between FI and SAF1 looks to be an interesting one indeed.

HandyNZL, on Mar 5 2008, 09:55 AM, said:

A Englishman, a German, and a Middle Eastern man all walk into a bar....

And walk out with a share holding in a Formula One team by the looks of things

[goferrarigo]

aussief1, on Mar 4 2008, 07:40 PM, said:

Interesting developments. I always thought that SAF1 would be using the RA107, but the news that interested me most is that they could quite possibly be using RA108 by seasons end. They know the RA107 is going to be a hand full, so it makes good sense to jump into an RA108 as soon as possible. Obviously a fair amount of cash would have been involved for this to happen.

The battle between FI and SAF1 looks to be an interesting one indeed.

Yeah it does. But the customer car arbitration down my Spyker/FI is still going on, if they offically take the RA108 it will only add to their bankruptcy...

[aussief1]

goferrarigo, on Mar 5 2008, 01:32 PM, said:

Yeah it does. But the customer car arbitration down my Spyker/FI is still going on, if they offically take the RA108 it will only add to their bankruptcy...

I guess that is something that will always be hanging over their heads at SA. I hope this investor has big plans for the team in the same way Vijay Malla has with Force India, and can help the team break away from the shackles of Honda, and run their team independently sometime in the future. I guess that has always been the plan but the money needs to be available for that to be viable.

[goferrarigo]

aussief1, on Mar 4 2008, 09:52 PM, said:

I guess that is something that will always be hanging over their heads at SA. I hope this investor has big plans for the team in the same way Vijay Malla has with Force India, and can help the team break away from the shackles of Honda, and run their team independently sometime in the future. I guess that has always been the plan but the money needs to be available for that to be viable.

Yup i think my 2010 they have to be a full constructor. So any person buying it will have make HUGE infrastructure investements for this team to have any long term future. And for a new invesor entering a company, and seeing the losses, he would be very reluctant to invest those sums of money

[The Rumble Strip]

Good news that they're still here though.

[Rainmaster]

^
>Indeed.

[The Rumble Strip]

Seems as though they have turned up in Aus.

Great news.

[Rainmaster]

Yep, Super Aguri are a very likeable team.

I hope they actually go racing in Australia though, and aren't turning up mereley to avoid a fine.

[The Rumble Strip]

Surely they would get fined for not racing though as well.

[Rainmaster]

I'm not entirely sure of the rules, but I hope they are actually going to complete the full race distance (or try to at least) rather than just one lap or whatever to avoid a fine.

Anyway I think they have turned up to race

[dribbler]

It's a shame to see that things are so potentially desperate for them.

[goferrarigo]

Team Formula One, on Mar 9 2008, 11:43 AM, said:

Surely they would get fined for not racing though as well.

Yeah i think they would get a fine for not racing and maybe a lesser fine if they drive very slow on the field...

Rainmaster, on Mar 9 2008, 01:57 PM, said:

I'm not entirely sure of the rules, but I hope they are actually going to complete the full race distance (or try to at least) rather than just one lap or whatever to avoid a fine.

Anyway I think they have turned up to race

Surely that would be done arbitarily as how can you say we were trying to run the full distance but the car broke down... Though if tehy do have financial troubles, they may like to retire their cars after the first stop to aviod the extra wear and tear of the car...

[aussief1]

Rainmaster, on Mar 10 2008, 04:57 AM, said:

I'm not entirely sure of the rules, but I hope they are actually going to complete the full race distance (or try to at least) rather than just one lap or whatever to avoid a fine.

Anyway I think they have turned up to race

The most recent memory I have of this, is when Arrows were going bust in 2002, they turned up for the French GP but didn't qualify for the race, in an effort to avoid more fines by the FIA. How ironic that the Arrows A23 would be the chassis that aided SAF1 to race was owned by a team that faced the same problems SAF1 are facing now.

[goferrarigo]

aussief1, on Mar 10 2008, 12:15 AM, said:

The most recent memory I have of this, is when Arrows were going bust in 2002, they turned up for the French GP but didn't qualify for the race, in an effort to avoid more fines by the FIA. How ironic that the Arrows A23 would be the chassis that aided SAF1 to race was owned by a team that faced the same problems SAF1 are facing now.

The chassis is jinxed...

Seriously though, they just need to be more open, i think when your in financial difficulties you have to be open to do what your sponser wants not what you want.. And this is the reason IMO, super aguri will struggle to stay on the grid... Though they have Magma racing due to Fry's contacts, but will they be willing to make the investments to stay on the grid in 2010, (when SA have to be a full constructor) i think not...

Edited by goferrarigo, 10 March 2008 - 03:42 PM.

[Rainmaster]

aussief1, on Mar 10 2008, 05:15 AM, said:

The most recent memory I have of this, is when Arrows were going bust in 2002, they turned up for the French GP but didn't qualify for the race, in an effort to avoid more fines by the FIA. How ironic that the Arrows A23 would be the chassis that aided SAF1 to race was owned by a team that faced the same problems SAF1 are facing now.

A sad irony indeed...

Quote

Super Aguri confirm Magma Group deal

By Pablo ElizaldeMonday, March 10th 2008, 10:01 GMT
The Super Aguri team have announced they have reached a deal with the Magma Group regarding the acquisition of the Formula One squad.

Super Aguri also said Magma had also reached an agreement with Honda for technical cooperation and an engine supply to the team.

The team's future had been in doubt for some time after they skipped some of this winter's tests as they seeked to secure their future.

The Japanese squad said they expect the acquisition process to be completed over the next few weeks and that they would not be making any further comments after weeks of speculation.

"I am pleased to announce our new partner and drivers finally at this late stage," said team principal Aguri Suzuki. "I am looking forward to a successful and long lasting collaboration with Magma Group."

The team did not specify the degree of involvement of the Magma Group.

Super Aguri also confirmed on Monday that Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson would be racing for them this season.

"As I have wanted them to continue their work in our team, I was not worried at all about our drivers for 2008," Suzuki added.

"It will be a big advantage for us that we can continue working with them this year. For Anthony, as this season will be his second as a racing driver, I am expecting him to achieve some points.

"For Takuma, I would like him to repeat the excellent work he did last season. It will be an interesting season and we will try our best to help them achieve these goals."

Sato, in his third season with the team, said: "I am excited about 2008 and happy to be able to carry the momentum gathered during the past two years into a third season with Super Aguri F1 Team.

"Our winter preparation has not been as comprehensive as we had wished; however we always get over these difficulties and keep pushing forward with our fighting spirit. I hope that we can maintain this through the coming season and make up for some lost time.

"I am looking forward to the coming season - the new rules with no traction control will make race interesting and should be very exciting. I have been training hard all winter and have completed the best preparation I can. As a team we hope that we can have a good race in Melbourne and the rest of the year."

Davidson added: "I'm really looking forward to my second season with the Super Aguri F1 Team and to building on what we achieved last year. The testing we have been able to do has gone well and we are continuing to make improvements to the car in conjunction with the new MES system.

"I've concentrated on my training and preparation over the winter and I'm fully motivated for the challenges that this year will bring. Everyone in the team has been working hard and I'd like to thank them, and Honda, for the continued support."

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/65597

[The Rumble Strip]

So, they're properly going racing then.

Good news.

[aussief1]

Great news