Super Aguri withdraw from 2008 Formula One world championship
Formula one has been dealt a body blow today as the Super Aguri team announced its withdrawal from the 2008 World Championship.
The grid’s minnows, who managed to embarrass a number of mid-ranking teams last season, have failed to secure enough backing to continue.
The Japanese outfit, who burst onto the scene in 2006, scored its first championship points after only 22 races (Spanish Grand Prix, 2007) and finished ninth overall in the 2007 Constructors’ Championship.
Team Principal Aguri Suzuki said: “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.”
British driver Anthony Davidson confessed he was not surprised at the news: “It wasn't a complete shock as we have all known how difficult things have been, but I'm obviously really disappointed that the team is unable to see out the rest of the season and beyond, and gutted not just for myself but for all the guys at the factory who have worked so hard.”
Team-mate Takuma Sato added: “What can I say except that I am so sad and disappointed that the Super Aguri F1 team has had to withdraw from F1.
“I realised that the situation for the team was very difficult but I really hoped that all the parties involved would find a solution. Unfortunately for whatever reasons this has not happened.”
Team owner Aguri Suzuki said factors beyond his control had conspired to the team’s cessation.
“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,” he explained.
“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.”
He added: “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.”
The team’s withdrawal is the first time a Formula One team have collapsed due to financial issues since the Prost team in the early nineties and leaves just ten teams on the grid.
The demise of Super Aguri may also reflect the sign of the times whereby only the manufacturer backed outfits can survive let alone compete with the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes and BMW.
