Sato: Aguri's future is still uncertain

TAKUMA SATO

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Monday 5th May 2008

Although Takuma Sato concedes that Super Aguri's future is "uncertain," he is still hopeful that Tuesday's meeting with Weigl and Honda will find a solution.

Aguri's place on the F1 grid has been in doubt ever since rescue talks with Magma Group collapsed in the build-up to the Spanish GP. The cash-strapped team only raced thanks to last-minute help from Honda, who provide the team with engines and technical support.

However, with Honda refusing any more aid and a new financial deal with investors yet to be finalised, Aguri's future in F1 is looking rather precarious.

"Really still uncertain," Sato told his personal website when asked about the team's situation. "As everyone knows now, the recent DIC investment with the Magma Group failed right at the last moment, which has created a huge problem for the team," he told his personal website.

"Everyone thought this deal was going to happen and I had spent a lot of time with Magma and was excited about their plans to develop the team.

"So I was very disappointed that it didn't happen and it was only with great support from Honda that we were able to race at Barcelona.

"It is worth mentioning that it is only just over a week since this deal collapsed, a deal everyone thought was basically done. So for Aguri-san and the rest of the SAF1 management to try to find a new solution in a week is almost impossible."

Aguri, though, could be handed a lifeline by Weigl, who are set to meet with Honda on Tuesday in order to put forward an investment proposal for the Super Aguri.

Speaking about Weigl, who could be his future bosses, Sato said: "I met them at the Spanish GP and they have the great passion to get the team over the current difficulties.

"They do not seem to be scared by the challenge and in that way I would say that they fit our philosophy well and it would be a great partner for the team.

"It is a great compliment to the team that so soon after Magma failed, another investor has come in with a survival plan for the team. It just shows the team has a great reputation."

Sato was also questioned about reports that Super Aguri's trucks have been prevented from entering the Istanbul paddock. And like many he was surpised to hear that Honda were the ones who had told Formula One Management that Aguri wouldn't be racing as a decision has yet to be taken about the team's future.

"I was simply very surprised when I got the news from my manager," the Japanese driver said. "I have no idea why this has happened as I understood that no decision has been made by Honda yet and that a decision will be made in the next few days about whether we will be able to race or not.

"I heard that FOM was told that we are not racing so they wont let the trucks in but I don't understand why they have been told this when no decision has been made yet."

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