Super Aguri have insisted that they will make the starting grid for the first race of the 2008 Formula One season in Australia next month.
Super Aguri missed the final week s full pre-season test session as they continued to talk with potential investors over the state of the team, although officially they missed the session over a mix-up over car parts.
“The cancellation was because some parts hadn’t arrived in time,” Super Aguri’s co-owner Fumio Akita told Reuters. “We are usually scrambling to be ready for the start of the season. It was very tight last year and this year is following the same pattern. But we will be on the grid for Melbourne. We’re not worried at all about missing out.
Talks are still going on and I’m told there are three potential investors. Obviously, we have to think of the future and what’s best for the team. It might be 100 percent. But obviously any sponsors or investors who leave the infrastructure there and back the team to improve results would be ideal.
“How much any potential stake in the team would be does depend on the conditions the investor has. But even if it’s a 100 percent stake you can’t sensibly get rid of the team per se. If you have no Aguri Suzuki you probably lose Honda as engine suppliers. If investors come in and say they can bring in BMW engines that’s a different story.
“But even if we give up 100 percent share it doesn’t necessarily mean the owner or the team name goes with it.”
