Mr Suzuki, within a very short period of time you've been able to start up a new team. What sort of team were you trying to build and what are your hopes for it?
Aguri Suzuki: Well, in November of last year we made the announcement of our participation in F1, and everyone said that it would be impossible to do that, that it was a crazy plan, and that it would be impossible to accomplish that. But we built up the team, bought the cars, gathered people, and until we went to Bahrain, we had minimal time to really think about it, we were just desperately working hard. At that early stage the core members numbered five people and then we built up the team. Right
now we have about 154 people. We're still quite a small team, but with this small team we made it to Bahrain in time, and we updated the cars during the course of the season. It was a tough job to do that. So instead of thinking what kind of team we wanted to build up, every person had to work without any breaks at all - 24 hours a day. So when you ask me what kind of team I want to make, the first thing was that all of us had to move in the same direction, and we had to try and make a good team, so that attitude alone kept us going. Now things have stabilised, and we've been through some tough times with a small number of people. So for me, everybody is like a family member. None of the members are looking in another direction; all of us are united in trying to improve the team as we compete.
Takuma, the engine is Japanese, the tyres are Japanese, and the team owner is of course a Japanese person. You're working in a different environment than before. In this Japanese team what are you proud of, and what do you think you can accomplish?
Takuma Sato: Everybody is united in this team, and naturally the Bridgestone engineers speak with me in Japanese to gain subtle nuances, but like in other teams they speak in English with the other team members, and likewise for the engines. For me what made me most happy was that in 2003 I was a test driver [for BAR Honda] and I worked on various tyre tests for Bridgestone. I still even recall now that in 2003 in the Monza test they brought a unique tyre that I tried out. I remember the feel, and I was greatly impressed. The feel was completely different from before. Things started there. In 2004 we were not using those tyres, but in 2006 in this manner we were able to work together with Bridgestone. We were not able to test that greatly, but we have evolved tyres and I could see how the tyres evolved. I was very happy about that. We see the Japanese technology has once again reached the top pinnacle, and the fact that I was able to work together with Bridgestone, and the fact that our team was able to work with Bridgestone, was truly a fun thing and a challenging thing as well.
Sakon, you started racing with the team from the German GP. Not much time has passed since you started, but what has left the greatest impression on you so far?
Sakon Yamamoto: Well, it's quite tough to come up with one single thing. However, the moment that left a great impression on me was when I went to the factory for the first time, and seat adjustments were made at that time. It was a typical British rainy day that was quite cold. I entered the factory and almost immediately the atmosphere changed. All the staff members had very high motivation, and even just for a seat adjustment they were able to listen to detailed requests from my part, and respond,
they were a highly motivated team. I was impressed about that. And also in the Shanghai Grand Prix last week when I finally managed to get the chequered flag, along the pit wall all the mechanics greeted me. As Takuma has mentioned, the mechanics have worked all night long building up the car for us, and because of their efforts I was finally able to respond to what they've done. Always the Super Aguri team is working until late at night.
Mr Suzuki, it was in 1990 that you stood on the podium at the Suzuka circuit. How does it feel to now take on the challenge of Suzuka as a team owner?
AS: There are 18 races in a season, and Suzuka for our team is something that we have been preparing for over the past 16 races. Over the past 20 years I have both participated in and observed races here. Now we're facing the 20th F1 Grand Prix which will be the last race for the time being at Suzuka. I'm very glad that I'm part of a team and actually back at Suzuka. We're still a small team, therefore I don't know how much performance we can get vis-à-vis the other teams, but with our two drivers and our staff members we want to do whatever we can, and show all of our capabilities at Suzuka.
What are your goals for this weekend at Suzuka and your hopes for the next season? First of all Takuma…
TS: Every year I get tremendous encouragement from the fans at Suzuka. This year all the team members are going to be able to get that same support. The Super Aguri team has been strongly united, as you are well aware, but I think we are going to be even more determined so we can get the best results of the season. Technically at the Chinese Grand Prix we were able to show our capabilities. We hope that we can beat our rival teams so that we can move forward as much as
possible in the race.
That's fighting talk. Which teams are you aiming to beat?
TS: The closest would be Spyker; I want to beat them and then try to compete directly with the even higher ranked teams. Sakon?
SY: When I was in elementary school I went to Suzuka to see an F1 race, and since then I have always wanted to be an F1 driver. This weekend I'll be able to go back to Suzuka as an F1 driver. This is something that is a truly happy thing for me, and the fact that I can race at Suzuka is something I am really looking forward to, and I want to get the best result possible. I want to be able to show 100% of my capabilities, or perhaps 110%.
