Reports are surfacing that the Super Aguri F1 team has been turned away from the Turkish Grand Prix's paddock. The denial of access occurred because of financial complications. Team supporter Honda contacted Formula One Management and informed the organization that they would not be providing any more assistance to the struggling team. With no one left to pay the bills, Super Aguri was left stranded outside of the track gates.
One potential life vest has already been thrown to the Japanese team by German engineering firm Weigl Group. However, their contribution would not be enough to fully support race operations. The Super Best Friends need more investors to jump aboard in order to make it through the end of the season, let alone the next race.
[Source: Speed TV, Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
steve @ May 6th 2008 9:09AM
way to go Honda...way to turn your back on the team at the beginning of the season...better now then later right?
Matt @ May 6th 2008 9:47AM
Pretty uneducated comment... They're sponsors refused to pay money last season at some time, so they've been seriously out of pocket ever since. They've been trying to find other backers but just haven't been sucessful. They currently use a customer car development of the old Honda, which will be banned from 2010, which means they'll need even more money to build their own cars - why would Honda bankroll two teams? Bit rediculous, no? It's not Honda's fault, Honda never withdrew their funding.
Alex @ May 6th 2008 9:48AM
@ brittandknee
go troll someplace else.
BPeredo @ May 6th 2008 9:13AM
More investors will do no good as it was announced that they have officially withdrawn from Formula 1.
gabibiza @ May 6th 2008 9:14AM
they are out. annouced this morning, sadly another teams leaves...only 10 teams left now. Remember that there should have been 12 teams this year with Prodrive but they didnt have the time and back up from mclaren mercedes to put the team on tracks! this just shows how F1 is expensive if you dont have enough money...good luck to all of the employees in finding a new job and also to T.Sato and A.Davidson.
Zane @ May 6th 2008 2:10PM
Actually, Prodrive would've been racing in F1 right now, had it not been for Williams and their bias for manufacturer racing.
gabibiza @ May 6th 2008 2:13PM
well not only williams but also spyker/force india. shame for takuma, good driver bit of a kamikaze but we always need one! hope that honda will take replace barichello with sato!
Temple @ May 6th 2008 9:19AM
Officially over:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7384404.stm
Galley @ May 6th 2008 9:38AM
Super Aguri just announced that the team is folding.
HotRodzNKustoms @ May 6th 2008 9:48AM
That's too bad, but as they say that's racing.
Derek @ May 6th 2008 9:49AM
Sucks, but F1 is expensive. ITV had an interview with him at Barcelona, Aguri said they needed at least 100 million annually to run the team. Just let me know when they start selling tools and equipment.
Pat @ May 6th 2008 9:53AM
They were doomed from the start - given they had last year's Honda. My favorite Super Aguri friends moment - Sato's pass on 2 time world champion Alonso in Canada last year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRJwZu5Qqio
Derek @ May 6th 2008 9:57AM
Ha, I loved that pass. Would have been funnier if it was Coulthard though.
Brad @ May 6th 2008 11:45AM
That pass was a classic.
R.I.P. Super Best Friends
hashiryu @ May 6th 2008 10:14AM
Thats so messed up. These guys had such a fighting spirit. I could respect them as real racers, pity they didn't have the money to develop their own chassis. Look at the wonders they did with Hondas useless chassis last year.
Tswk tsk
Mobius_1 @ May 6th 2008 10:15AM
I did really enjoy them beating factory Honda last season, sad to see them go...
hashiryu @ May 6th 2008 10:39AM
Hey Mr.Suzuki, pick up.....it's Dave Richards on the phone...
thesawzall @ May 6th 2008 10:43AM
It sounds almost like the factory team maneuvered to have them pushed out. Seeing as Honda hasn't had a sponsor for the last 2 years, I think they want any potential sponsor of SA.
John P. @ May 6th 2008 10:46AM
Nascar's more fun to watch than F1 anyway anymore. Seeya Super Aguri, it was fun while it lasted.
As long as Bernie Ecclestone can find new cities around the world to squeeze more money from, F1's going to continue on it's current path.
Version 1.0 @ May 6th 2008 10:58AM
Uhh... Super Aguri has already pulled out of Formula 1 for the season...