Super Aguri F1 (Super Best Friends) calls it quits due to lack of funding.

[EJ25RUN]

Formula 1.com

http://www.grandprix.com/jpeg/phc/pita06/fri/sato1-lg.jpg
Following weeks of speculation concerning the future of the team, Super Aguri announced Tuesday that they are to withdraw from the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship with immediate effect.

Super Aguri, founded by former driver Aguri Suzuki, had been participating in Formula One racing since the 2006 season. The Japanese team, who scored their first championship points after only 22 races (Spanish Grand Prix, 2007) and finished ninth in the 2007 constructors’ championship, will cease all activities as of May 6, 2008.

The Honda-powered team, whose driver line-up comprised Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson, ran into financial difficulties last year, and completed little winter testing ahead of the 2008 season as a result. A planned buyout by the Magma Group looked set to save the team until that fell through last month, and only last week Suzuki expressed optimism about a new deal with German automotive company Weigl.

Explaining his decision to withdraw from Formula One racing, Aguri Suzuki released the following statement:

“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.

“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. 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.

“Meanwhile, with the help of Honda, we have somehow managed to keep the team going, but we find it difficult to establish a way to continue the activities in the future within the environment surrounding F1 and as a result, I have concluded to withdraw from the Championship.

“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.”

[dazn]

Sad to see them go. Takuma Sato will finally leave the sport of Formula 1.

[SampaGuy]

they suck balls

[chituntang]

they suck balls

Back your comment. They did good for what they have. I do not know how much you know about the team, or the sport itself, but I watched them started their first race, their first appearing in third round in quialfying, and score their first point. With the money they got, they are great. Now since they lost their sponsorship, They only have two drivers, two cars, and the team itself. They do not even have enough parts for a thrid car.

So please f off.

[SampaGuy]

Back your comment. They did good for what they have. I do not know how much you know about the team, or the sport itself, but I watched them started their first race, their first appearing in third round in quialfying, and score their first point. With the money they got, they are great. Now since they lost their sponsorship, They only have two drivers, two cars, and the team itself. They do not even have enough parts for a thrid car.

So please f off.


Back my comment? The time you watched them "score their first point" was one of two times ever that they scored any points at all. Remember Prost GP? Jaguar? Jordan/Spyker F1? etc.. It happens to every small team, as soon as the sponsors get tired of seeing you lose all the time they pull their money out and the team is sold to someone else. I don't know how much money Force India has but I would not be surprised if they are gone in a few years. You have to be filthy rich and not rely on any sponsors if you want to succesfully start a team(Honda taking over BAR, Toyota come to mind).

[EJ25RUN]

Toyota come to mind).

im still trying to get over "estimated 700 million a year budget"

[chituntang]

Back my comment? The time you watched them "score their first point" was one of two times ever that they scored any points at all. Remember Prost GP? Jaguar? Jordan/Spyker F1? etc.. It happens to every small team, as soon as the sponsors get tired of seeing you lose all the time they pull their money out and the team is sold to someone else. I don't know how much money Force India has but I would not be surprised if they are gone in a few years. You have to be filthy rich and not rely on any sponsors if you want to succesfully start a team(Honda taking over BAR, Toyota come to mind).

Exactly my point of what you just said. If you watch F1, who has been winning these couple years besides Ferrari and Mclaren? Let me think.... Honda for once in the rain!!!! That's it. If all sponsors think like you, there would be two teams left to be sponsored in F1. There are only a hand full of people in the series that actually win F1 within the last 30 races. Is that mean they are going to get fired? No.

I know it is a fact that you race to win, but there is almost no way a smaller budget team can beat a bigger budget team, and look at Toyota for the pass few years. I would say they suck ball big times compare to what Super Aguri did at the same time period. The only reason Toyota is still sponsored by its sponsors is because it is a big company (they have a lot of money to spend) and they do have contracts with sponsors that last because they can have a better deal than smaller teams. Ferrari had Marlboro as their sponsors when they have their ass kicked by the Mclaren from the end of the 80s, to when M.S. get the world title years in a row, til now. What makes Marlboro stay with Ferrari all these times?

Honda was going to enter F1 with their own team, not BAR. But problem occured, and they think-it -out later that it is easier to buy a shell than have a complete team.

Watch NASCAR and see how many drivers are racing in a race. If you are right, then half of the drivers/teams would not be racing anymore.