Aguri Suzuki Commits Seppuku on Super Aguri F1 Team

6th May 2008

Aguri Suzuki Commits Seppuku on Super Aguri F1 Team

posted in Formula One |

Seppuku Image And so it is, Super Aguri’s boss and owner Aguri Suzuki has unsheathed his Katana and committed Seppuku on F1’s first all-Japanese team in the Western-dominated sport.

“I have been very happy that I was able to achieve a miracle and become a team owner, but I have to make the difficult decision to withdraw,” Suzuki said.

“It had been my dream to become an F1 team owner,” Suzuki said, “but I have to put a close to the work.”

“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.”

The Japanese outfit’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 due to last-minute help from Honda (reportedly in the neighborhood of a quarter million dollars) who provided the team with engines and technical support.

Technorati Tags: Formula One, F1, Aguri Suzuki, Super Aguri, Takuma Sato, Anthony Davidson, Honda F1

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 at 4:27 am and is filed under Formula One. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

1 On May 6th, 2008, peterg said:#

This sucks, as does the entire customer car concept being killed off.

The back down on customer cars has cost F1 a very proffessional ProDrive entry,SA & propably Torro Rossso.

posted on May 6th, 2008 at 5:42 pm

2 On May 6th, 2008, peterg said:#

Oh well back to the same old teams & a few poorly funded backmarkers, all doing the same old thing.No new blood to improve the breed.No “Minardi” where a young hot shoe can get a go.

I now admire more than ever the owner of Force India for giving it a go in the sharkpool.

posted on May 6th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

3 On May 6th, 2008, Marc said:#

Mallya has an advantage many others don’t a very, VERY large pocketful of cash.

posted on May 6th, 2008 at 6:30 pm

4 On May 6th, 2008, Meeshbeer said:#

awww… poor super best friends!

posted on May 6th, 2008 at 10:35 pm

5 On May 10th, 2008, Alianora La Canta said:#

If the FIA had made its mind up what it was doing and SS United had actually paid the money it owed Super Aguri, then maybe Super Aguri would still be around. They were an asset to the grid (even though I objected to them using customer cars) because of their verve, determination and the way they fought impossible odds.

posted on May 10th, 2008 at 4:40 am

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