Super Aguri F1

Super Aguri F1 was a Formula One racing team that competed from  to . The team was founded by former F1 driver Aguri Suzuki. Based in Tokyo, Japan, the team operated from the former Arrows factory in Leafield, Oxfordshire,United Kingdom. The cars were called Super Aguri-Honda because they used Honda engines. The team was, to some degree, an unofficial Honda second-team. In Japan, public pressure convinced Honda to help its former driver Takuma Sato to continue in Formula One, which led to the start of Super Aguri F1 and the engine supply from Honda. The team competed two full years, and part of the third year. After four races in the  season, the team withdrew because of  financial problems.

 Team creation 
The team started in September 2005. on 1 November 2005, the team told the FIA its wanted to enter the  Formula One World Championship. The FIA did not approved Super Aguri's entry. It was reported that the team failed to give the required $48 million entry bond on time. Super Aguri applied for entry again in 2006. Because they missed the initial registration, the team needed the existing ten teams to agree to its entry. The other teams gave the required unanimous agreement. Super Aguri was confirmed by the FIA on 26 January 2006.

 Racing History 
In 2006, the chassis, Super Aguri SA05, was based on the 2002 Arrows A23. The Arrows chassis was bought from ex-Minardi principal Paul Stoddart.Stoddart had bought them when the Arrows team went bankrupt. Super Aguri updated their old chassis to become the Super Aguri SA06. They were used from the German Grand Prix to the end of the year.Formula-1.updatesport.com article

Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide were the initial race drivers for the team in the 2006 season. Franck Montagny as the third driver. On 4 May, after four races, the team announced that Montagny would be replacing Ide as race driver. Ide's Super Licence had been revoked after a clash with Christijan Albers.

For , Super Aguri announced Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson would be driving for the team.

When the new SA07 car was first tested by the FIA, it failed the crash test. It was less than 48 hours before the first practice session for the Australian Grand Prix that the SA07 chassis was ready. At the Spanish Grand Prix the team scored its first point. Takuma Sato finished in 8th place. At the Canadian Grand Prix, the team scored its highest finish.  Sato finishing in sixth place and earned three points.

For , Super Aguri kept their drivers Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson following the acquisition of an unspecified portion of the team by the Magma Group became a part owner of the team.SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM CONFIRMS NEW PARTNER AND DRIVERS FOR 2008 SEASON on 2008-03-13 from Internet Archive The team did not attend the final pre-season tests. Not all the parts had arrived. Magma canceled their proposed purchase, leaving Super Aguri's future in doubt. Super Aguri's equipment was denied entry to Istanbul Park for the Turkish Grand Prix. Honda Racing's CEO Nick Fry reportedly told the race organizers that Super Aguri would not be taking part. On 6 May 2008, team founder and principal Aguri Suzuki announced that they were withdrawing from the 2008 World Championship due to financial problems. He said the breach of contract by SS United Group Oil & Gas Company resulting in the loss of financial backing. The team was in financial difficulties.SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT on 2008-05-06 from Internet Archive

A team of corporate recovery partners were appointed to seek a buyer for Super Aguri. The team's assets were bought by a German businessman named Franz Hilmer. Hilmer unsuccessfully to enter the  season under the Brabham name.

Complete Formula One results
(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)
 Year Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Points WCC 2006 Super Aguri SA05Super Aguri SA06 Honda RA806E 2.4 L V8  BHR MAL AUS SMR EUR ESP MON GBR CAN USA FRA GER HUN TUR ITA CHN JPN BRA 0 11th  Takuma Sato 18 14 12 Ret Ret 17 Ret 17 15 Ret Ret Ret 13 NC 16 DSQ 15 10  Yuji Ide Ret Ret 13 Ret  Franck Montagny Ret Ret 16 18 Ret Ret 16  Sakon Yamamoto Ret Ret Ret Ret 16 17 16 2007 Super Aguri SA07 Honda RA807E 2.4 L V8  AUS MAL BHR ESP MON CAN USA FRA GBR EUR HUN TUR ITA BEL JPN CHN BRA49th  Takuma Sato 12 13 Ret 8 17 6 Ret 16 14 Ret 15 18 16 15 15 14 12 Anthony Davidson 16 16 16 11 18 11 11 Ret Ret 12 Ret 14 14 16 Ret Ret 14 2008 Super Aguri SA08 Honda RA808E 2.4 L V8  AUS MAL BHR ESP TUR MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN EUR BEL ITA SIN JPN CHN BRA 0 11th  Takuma Sato Ret 16 17 13 WD  Anthony Davidson Ret 15 16 Ret WD
 Team withdrew from championship after race 4. They did not field any drivers or cars in any further races that season.

References

 Other websites 

Official site on 2 May, 2008 from Internet Archive
Magma Group 

Category:Formula One constructors