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**Teutone** · 05-05-2008, 10:59 PM

Sato in Honda plea
Eurosport - Mon, 05 May 14:52:00 2008
Takuma Sato has issued a plea to Honda to continue to support the Super Aguri F1 team and not let the squad fold.

More StoriesTurkey bans Super Aguri
The Leafield-based operation despatched its transporters to Istanbul at the end of last week, but since arriving at the track they have been barred from entering to set-up for this coming weekend's Turkish Grand Prix, the fifth round in the 2008 FIA F1 World Championship.

Super Aguri's financial plight is well known but the current crisis emulates from the aborted take-over by the Magma Group and rumours that Honda boss Nick Fry has told F1 tsar Bernie Ecclestone that the team won't be competing at the Istanbul Speed Park.

"I was simply very surprised when I got the news from my manager [that the trucks weren't allowed to enter the paddock]," said Taku. "I have no idea why this has happened as I understood that no decision has been made by Honda yet and that a decision will be made in the next few days about whether we will be able to race or not.

"I heard that FOM was told that we are not racing and so they wont let the trucks in but I don't understand why they have been told this when no decision has been made yet.

"We need Honda support more then ever now and I am just hoping that they will be able to find a satisfactory solution. Honda are famous for their Racing Spirit and I am sure this will not desert them now

"Honda has always been central to the whole Super Aguri team. We have always worked so closely together and I understand that they are in a difficult position right now due to DIC letting everyone down at the last minute, but I hope they will be able to continue the fighting spirit and give the team some more time to get the new investment in place.

"We have showed over the past two years how efficient we can be as a very little team and given the chance and support I believe we can be very competitive."

Asked about the Weigl deal, which Fry apparently believes won't be enough to ensure Super Aguri's continued participation, Taku added that company seems very keen to help.

"I met them at the Spanish GP and they have the great passion to get the team over the current difficulties. They do not seem to be scared by the challenge and in that way I would say that they fit our philosophy well and it would be a great partner for the team.

"It is a great compliment to the team that so soon after Magma failed, another investor has come in with a survival plan for the team. It just shows the team has a great reputation."

As for what happens now and reports Super Aguri may not survive the current problems, Taku is trying not to think about it too much.

"I need to keep my focus on racing. It is difficult enough to concentrate on the main job at the moment," he concluded.

Crash.net / Eurosport

05-05-2008, 10:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Teutone CH4S Artist Date registered: Sep 2004 Vehicle: 1985 500SEC, 1991 190E 2.6 (50k original miles) Location: Los Angeles Posts: 9,810	Sato in Honda plea Sato in Honda plea Eurosport - Mon, 05 May 14:52:00 2008 Takuma Sato has issued a plea to Honda to continue to support the Super Aguri F1 team and not let the squad fold. More StoriesTurkey bans Super Aguri The Leafield-based operation despatched its transporters to Istanbul at the end of last week, but since arriving at the track they have been barred from entering to set-up for this coming weekend's Turkish Grand Prix, the fifth round in the 2008 FIA F1 World Championship. Super Aguri's financial plight is well known but the current crisis emulates from the aborted take-over by the Magma Group and rumours that Honda boss Nick Fry has told F1 tsar Bernie Ecclestone that the team won't be competing at the Istanbul Speed Park. "I was simply very surprised when I got the news from my manager [that the trucks weren't allowed to enter the paddock]," said Taku. "I have no idea why this has happened as I understood that no decision has been made by Honda yet and that a decision will be made in the next few days about whether we will be able to race or not. "I heard that FOM was told that we are not racing and so they wont let the trucks in but I don't understand why they have been told this when no decision has been made yet. "We need Honda support more then ever now and I am just hoping that they will be able to find a satisfactory solution. Honda are famous for their Racing Spirit and I am sure this will not desert them now "Honda has always been central to the whole Super Aguri team. We have always worked so closely together and I understand that they are in a difficult position right now due to DIC letting everyone down at the last minute, but I hope they will be able to continue the fighting spirit and give the team some more time to get the new investment in place. "We have showed over the past two years how efficient we can be as a very little team and given the chance and support I believe we can be very competitive." Asked about the Weigl deal, which Fry apparently believes won't be enough to ensure Super Aguri's continued participation, Taku added that company seems very keen to help. "I met them at the Spanish GP and they have the great passion to get the team over the current difficulties. They do not seem to be scared by the challenge and in that way I would say that they fit our philosophy well and it would be a great partner for the team. "It is a great compliment to the team that so soon after Magma failed, another investor has come in with a survival plan for the team. It just shows the team has a great reputation." As for what happens now and reports Super Aguri may not survive the current problems, Taku is trying not to think about it too much. "I need to keep my focus on racing. It is difficult enough to concentrate on the main job at the moment," he concluded. Crash.net / Eurosport