Founding story
In 2005, Honda completed the buyout of British American Racing, retaining Jenson Button as their lead driver but replacing Takuma Sato with Rubens Barrichello. Sato’s popularity in Japan created public pressure for Honda to find a way for him to remain in Formula One. This influenced the creation of the Super Aguri F1 project, with engine supply secured through a partnership with Honda. Talks to establish the team began in February 2005, with formal registration with the FIA occurring on November 1, 2005. Initial entry was rejected due to a failure to meet the required financial bond, but unanimous agreement from existing teams – after initial resistance from Midland – secured the team’s place on the 2006 grid.
Racing history
2006
Super Aguri entered the 2006 season with cars powered by customer Honda engines and using Bridgestone tyres. The chassis, designated SA05, was based on the 2002 Arrows A23, purchased from Paul Stoddart, the former principal of the Arrows team. The team’s infrastructure and operating base were also inherited from TWR Arrows, with former Arrows engineer Mark Preston overseeing the technical side and bringing back many of the original Arrows mechanics. Plans for a new in-house chassis were abandoned, and the existing chassis was updated to become the SA06, debuting at the German Grand Prix.
Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide were the initial drivers, with Franck Montagny serving as the third driver. Ide’s selection was considered unusual given his age (31, the oldest F1 rookie), lack of European racing experience, and limited English proficiency. The team’s debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix saw Sato finish the race, while Ide retired with a mechanical failure. Ide was later involved in a collision with Christijan Albers at the San Marino Grand Prix, resulting in a reprimand. Following the European Grand Prix, Ide was replaced by Montagny at the request of the FIA, and subsequently lost his Super Licence. Montagny and Sakon Yamamoto then swapped roles, with Yamamoto taking over the second car. Sato secured the team’s first tenth-place finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix, while Yamamoto set the seventh-fastest lap time.
2007
The team faced controversy regarding the use of the 2006 works Honda chassis, with Williams and Spyker contesting that it violated Formula One regulations concerning parts design and construction. Despite the contention, the FIA did not intervene. Super Aguri announced Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson as their drivers for 2007, with Giedo van der Garde initially signed as the third driver before moving to Spyker. The team experienced a setback when their 2007 car failed the FIA crash test, delaying its launch. Despite this, the SA07 was unveiled shortly before the Australian Grand Prix, where Sato and Davidson qualified 10th and 11th, respectively – the team’s best qualifying result to date.
Prior to the Australian Grand Prix, SS United Group Oil & Gas Company became the team’s title sponsor, and an official supplier agreement was signed with Speakerbus for race intercoms. However, SS United Group defaulted on sponsorship payments, leading to staff cuts. At the Spanish Grand Prix, Sato scored the team’s first point with an eighth-place finish. The Canadian Grand Prix saw Sato achieve the team’s highest finish, sixth place, benefiting from attrition among competitors.
2008
Super Aguri retained Sato and Davidson for the 2008 season following an acquisition by the Magma Group. However, Magma Group withdrew their proposed takeover, leaving the team’s future uncertain. The team competed in the Spanish Grand Prix with alleged financial support from Bernie Ecclestone. At the Turkish Grand Prix, the team’s trucks and motorhomes were denied entry to the circuit. On May 6, 2008, Aguri Suzuki announced the team’s withdrawal from the championship due to financial problems, citing the breach of contract by SS United Group Oil & Gas Company. The team subsequently went into administration, and its assets were purchased by Franz Hilmer, who unsuccessfully attempted to enter the 2010 championship with the Brabham name.
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