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[darwin dali]

Though if you take the 5 seconds and times it by the people at a gp (100 thousand at Silverstone)thats a lot if people and a lot of seconds......minutes.....hours? The line has to be drawn somewhere,drivers cant sign autographs for everyone.(I managed to get Damon Hill's ) I still like Juan a lot, loved his driving style and he remains one of my favourites.

Hundred thousand minus at least one: I wouldn't have wanted an autograph from that chubby jerk.

[Jensonb]

In other news, Super Aguri have at least 1 transporter heading to Catalunya, but there is still no word on whether or not they're going to race.

[Rivelution]

To the guy who he didnt talk to- that was bad of him but he is hot tempered so maybe you caught him at a bad time-car not going right or an arguement with Connie. Or maybe he just didnt see you if you were only 10 and little. That sort of behaviour is contrary to everything Ive read about him (though he does hate the press and could get arsey with them).

Maybe he didnt see me? Yeah ok when I asked him for his signature he turned around looked at my cousin and me and walked away. Even if he was pissed it only takes 5 seconds to sign your signature.

Yes I know it does and if he deliberately ignored you it was out of character and it was not a nce thing to do Though if you take the 5 seconds and times it by the people at a gp (100 thousand at Silverstone)thats a lot if people and a lot of seconds......minutes.....hours? The line has to be drawn somewhere,drivers cant sign autographs for everyone.(I managed to get Damon Hill's ) I still like Juan a lot, loved his driving style and he remains one of my favourites.

I like how no matter how bad it sounds you still defend him in some way or form. JPM does nothing wrong in your eyes

[racechick]

To the guy who he didnt talk to- that was bad of him but he is hot tempered so maybe you caught him at a bad time-car not going right or an arguement with Connie. Or maybe he just didnt see you if you were only 10 and little. That sort of behaviour is contrary to everything Ive read about him (though he does hate the press and could get arsey with them).

Maybe he didnt see me? Yeah ok when I asked him for his signature he turned around looked at my cousin and me and walked away. Even if he was pissed it only takes 5 seconds to sign your signature.

Yes I know it does and if he deliberately ignored you it was out of character and it was not a nce thing to do Though if you take the 5 seconds and times it by the people at a gp (100 thousand at Silverstone)thats a lot if people and a lot of seconds......minutes.....hours? The line has to be drawn somewhere,drivers cant sign autographs for everyone.(I managed to get Damon Hill's ) I still like Juan a lot, loved his driving style and he remains one of my favourites.

I like how no matter how bad it sounds you still defend him in some way or form. JPM does nothing wrong in your eyes

Didnt I just say it was not a nice thing to do?

[f1freak]

Id say they certainly are ! But hey, anything can happen.. Did anyone expect Sato qualifying 10th or so last year in the FIRST round? I think not !

[bud]

To the guy who he didnt talk to- that was bad of him but he is hot tempered so maybe you caught him at a bad time-car not going right or an arguement with Connie. Or maybe he just didnt see you if you were only 10 and little. That sort of behaviour is contrary to everything Ive read about him (though he does hate the press and could get arsey with them).

Maybe he didnt see me? Yeah ok when I asked him for his signature he turned around looked at my cousin and me and walked away. Even if he was pissed it only takes 5 seconds to sign your signature.

Yes I know it does and if he deliberately ignored you it was out of character and it was not a nce thing to do Though if you take the 5 seconds and times it by the people at a gp (100 thousand at Silverstone)thats a lot if people and a lot of seconds......minutes.....hours? The line has to be drawn somewhere,drivers cant sign autographs for everyone.(I managed to get Damon Hill's ) I still like Juan a lot, loved his driving style and he remains one of my favourites.

I like how no matter how bad it sounds you still defend him in some way or form. JPM does nothing wrong in your eyes

Didnt I just say it was not a nice thing to do?

im sure theres alot of people around the world with this type of story regarding some sports star, they cant give autographs to everyone that asks for them unfortunately

[Martin]

Todays News:-



Zoom
Team at least able to travel to Barcelona

The entire Super Aguri team, including all the transporters and the race cars, has been dispatched to the Barcelona circuit, it has emerged.

Despite continuing uncertainty about the financial survival of the Japanese outfit, including the question of whether the team will even race this weekend, frantic activity is still going on behind the scenes - including the preparation of the team's facilities and pits at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The German magazine Auto Motor und Sport claims that, after the recent withdrawal of the Magma Group's planned Dubai backing, talks with the Leafield operation have been on again.

The outcome is not yet known, but it is clear that Honda - Super Aguri's main hope of staying afloat at least in the coming days - wants written guarantees from an investor before the team is given the green light to even practice in Spain.



The Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell reported that the Super Aguri sale was complicated by the emergence on the market of Dietrich Mateschitz's 50 percent Toro Rosso share.

It also emerges that the team's Managing Director Daniele Audetto is back in the frame at Super Aguri, despite his absence from the races so far this year.

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Fry not optimistic on Super Aguri chances

By Alan Baldwin Thursday, April 24th 2008, 15:16 GMT

Nick FryHonda Racing CEO Nick Fry has dropped the firmest hint that the Japanese manufacturer is not ready to continue supporting the Super Aguri team.

Super Aguri's future was still hanging in the balance at the Spanish Grand Prix on Thursday with the team still seeking a saviour after the collapse of a takeover deal.

Backers Honda said they had made every effort to support the cash-strapped team but could not guarantee their continued survival.

Fry said on Thursday he was not optimistic about the situation.

"We've been working as hard as we possibly can to find a solution for Aguri, but at this stage I'm not overly optimistic," Honda F1 chief executive Nick Fry told Reuters at the Circuit de Catalunya, where Super Aguri's trucks and hospitality were lined up as usual.

"Honda in my opinion have done the maximum possible to support the Super Aguri team," added Fry.

"It was never Honda's intention to fully fund two Formula One teams but Honda have been incredibly supportive over the last two years of Super Aguri. But they (Aguri) do need to find funding of their own.

"We have been engaged almost full time in the last few weeks trying to find a solution and I hope that it's going to be a happy ending to the story, but at this stage that certainly can't be guaranteed."

The British-based Japanese team said last week a planned deal had fallen through after Magma Group informed them their investors "no longer wish to fund the intended acquisition".

Magma are run by Martin Leach, a former president of Ford Europe and ex-chief executive of Maserati.

Well-placed sources said 80 percent of the funds for Magma's proposed takeover was to have been provided by Dubai International Capital (DIC) and doubted the hole could be filled by anyone else.

DIC have also been interested in buying Liverpool FC but the sources said the collapse of the Super Aguri deal was not linked to their 500 million pounds ($988.5 million) offer for the English Premier League club.

They said the sticking point was the lack of a clear commercial agreement for the future of Formula One and the banning of so-called 'customer cars' from 2010, forcing all teams to design and build their own chassis.

Super Aguri have effectively been a Honda 'B' team since their debut in 2006 as a means to secure a drive for popular Japanese Takuma Sato after he was dropped by Honda F1. Their other driver is Briton Anthony Davidson.

Founded by former racer Aguri Suzuki, they have struggled for funding and limped through to the end of last season after expected sponsorship failed to materialise.

Sources said Honda, who have provided engines and considerable technical support, were owed in the region of $100 million.

It doesn't sound good for them.

[Martin]

From autosport.com:


Sources said Honda, who have provided engines and considerable technical support, were owed in the region of $100 million.

It doesn't sound good for them.

What a shame - several issues - customer cars - unclear definition - an unclear future for small F1 teams. FIA need to make it a more viable option for smaller teams to enter , and stay, in F1.
Also if Honda see that $100m as a debt then that will put off other investors.
Bernie needs to find a way of not losing the team, or by replacing it with another, or even 2 teams - there is enough room on the circuit for an extra team?

[Jensonb]

From autosport.com:


Sources said Honda, who have provided engines and considerable technical support, were owed in the region of $100 million.

It doesn't sound good for them.

What a shame - several issues - customer cars - unclear definition - an unclear future for small F1 teams. FIA need to make it a more viable option for smaller teams to enter , and stay, in F1.
Also if Honda see that $100m as a debt then that will put off other investors.
Bernie needs to find a way of not losing the team, or by replacing it with another, or even 2 teams - there is enough room on the circuit for an extra team?

FIA Regulations stipulate and assume a 12 Entry System of 24 cars

[Martin]

Super Aguri will participate as normal in this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix as discussions continue concerning the team’s future. In a statement released Thursday, the Japanese squad said they are unable to comment on the current state of negotiations, but expressed thanks for all the support they have received.

After a winter of financial uncertainty, Super Aguri announced a planned takeover just prior to March’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, the deal fell through earlier this month after backers behind the planned Magma Group acquisition pulled out. That led to renewed speculation over Super Aguri’s future and their ability to compete in Spain, but boss Aguri Suzuki has been continuing efforts to find new backing.

“Discussions regarding investment are ongoing, however, due to legal conditions, we are unable to expand on, allude to or provide further details regarding this confidential matter at present,” said the team’s statement. “We would like to thank our team partners, suppliers, our fans and colleagues in the media for their continuing patience and support, and we look forward to our weekend at the Barcelona Grand Prix.”

After limited pre-season testing, Super Aguri have yet to score in 2008 and lie 11th in the constructors’ championship standings.

Maybe there is still a glimmer of hope!

[Denthúl]

But Honda have said they don't want to back Super Aguri anymore.

The team’s future beyond this weekend’s race remains uncertain, after Honda made it clear that it is no longer willing to bankroll its sister outfit.

[darwin dali]

Honda is paying for the trip to Barcelona (€2m) and that will be it - no more dough from Honda. Problem is that if they claim the $100m that Super Best Friends owe them as debt for the next owner to take over, it's gonna be hard to find said owner.

[7UpJordan]

I think it's sad the way Super Aguri are going at the moment. For a team that pretty much appeared out of the blue, they've done a good job despite the lack of funds. And what's probably more sad is the fact if and when they do disappear, all Bernie (or even Mad Max) will have to say is something selfish like "Pfft, they didn't have any money! What do you expect them to do???!!".

[Selcouth_Feline]

I think it's sad the way Super Aguri are going at the moment. For a team that pretty much appeared out of the blue, they've done a good job despite the lack of funds.

I agree. They had issues with funding last season and still managed to do miles better than I would have predicted so I was looking forward to this season. I was really hoping that Sato would manage to grab a point or two in Spain, but it wasn't to be