FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Martin]

Davidson & Sato retained.
New partners - Magma Group
Based in the UK, the Magma Group describe themselves as ‘a unique enterprise, created to address issues and capitalise on opportunities in the automotive and technology sectors caused by changing global situations and market conditions’. The group is headed by Chairman Martin Leach, whose former posts include Maserati CEO and President and Chief Operating Officer of Ford Europe.

Hmmm not sure I understand too much vague meaningless waffle jargon.

Interesting to see what happens now then?

[Denthúl]

Definitely good that Super Aguri have some kind of future. Hopefully, this will be a long-term investment and the team can start clawing their way up the grid. They have two great drivers, a good team principal and lots of potential. Given the funds that would be required for them to get a good design team together (which they may already have the core components of) to develop their own chassis, and a long-term partnership with Honda for engines and maybe some kind of funding to give them a boost in their early years, I think that this is possible. It won't come easy, but I think that the majority of the team would be determined to push themselves forward and show what they are really capable of.

I'd love to see them in the points consistently

[Selcouth_Feline]

I'm really pleased to hear this news and I'm glad that the two drivers have both now been confirmed. I think they did well last season, particularly given they had financial issues, so now that they have their finances fixed, I'm hoping they'll do well this season - I have a feeling they will do better than Honda anyway!

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Super Aguri confirm Magma Group deal

By Pablo Elizalde Monday, March 10th 2008, 10:01 GMT

Super Aguri trucks at the Catalunya testThe Super Aguri team have announced they have reached a deal with the Magma Group regarding the acquisition of the Formula One squad.

Super Aguri also said Magma had also reached an agreement with Honda for technical cooperation and an engine supply to the team.

The team's future had been in doubt for some time after they skipped some of this winter's tests as they seeked to secure their future.

The Japanese squad said they expect the acquisition process to be completed over the next few weeks and that they would not be making any further comments after weeks of speculation.

"I am pleased to announce our new partner and drivers finally at this late stage," said team principal Aguri Suzuki. "I am looking forward to a successful and long lasting collaboration with Magma Group."

The team did not specify the degree of involvement of the Magma Group.

Super Aguri also confirmed on Monday that Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson would be racing for them this season.

"As I have wanted them to continue their work in our team, I was not worried at all about our drivers for 2008," Suzuki added.

"It will be a big advantage for us that we can continue working with them this year. For Anthony, as this season will be his second as a racing driver, I am expecting him to achieve some points.

"For Takuma, I would like him to repeat the excellent work he did last season. It will be an interesting season and we will try our best to help them achieve these goals."

Sato, in his third season with the team, said: "I am excited about 2008 and happy to be able to carry the momentum gathered during the past two years into a third season with Super Aguri F1 Team.

"Our winter preparation has not been as comprehensive as we had wished; however we always get over these difficulties and keep pushing forward with our fighting spirit. I hope that we can maintain this through the coming season and make up for some lost time.

"I am looking forward to the coming season - the new rules with no traction control will make race interesting and should be very exciting. I have been training hard all winter and have completed the best preparation I can. As a team we hope that we can have a good race in Melbourne and the rest of the year."

Davidson added: "I'm really looking forward to my second season with the Super Aguri F1 Team and to building on what we achieved last year. The testing we have been able to do has gone well and we are continuing to make improvements to the car in conjunction with the new MES system.

"I've concentrated on my training and preparation over the winter and I'm fully motivated for the challenges that this year will bring. Everyone in the team has been working hard and I'd like to thank them, and Honda, for the continued support."

It's good to see the team surviving, although it would be interesting to see just how much clout Magma will have, and how much Suzuki will have lost. I think the team's attitude towards Davidson is very unfair, and I don't see the need for a 1-2 system of drivers that far down the grid.

[Denthúl]

It's not so much the team as it is the Japanese public and sponsors, I'd say. Remember that the Super Aguri team was created, really, to keep Takuma in a race seat. So it's quite understandable that they'd carry on that way, I guess.

[7UpJordan]

Great to see Super Aguri are still alive and kicking, but it's going to be even harder this year as their car is effectively last year's Honda!