Following the joint statement from Super Aguri and the Weigl Group, in which it was confirmed that final discussions concerning an agreement for a substantial shareholding purchase are underway, Honda F1 chief executive Nick Fry has admitted that he remains sceptical of the deal.

"I am aware that Aguri Suzuki is continuing to look for an investor and we wish him well," Fry told Reuters. "Since we have been looking for a partner for over a year, unfortunately, it would seem unlikely that someone appropriate is going to appear in the next 48 hours.

"It would appear unlikely that a company the size of Weigl is able to support a competitive Formula One team," added Fry, "unless of course there are other partners of which we have not been made aware."

Having made it clear that it is no longer willing to fund two teams, Honda, which helped form the Super Aguri F1 team in order to give Takuma Sato a berth - a move designed to appease Japanese race fans following the decision to sign Rubens Barrichello to partner Jenson Button - is understood to be seeking the return of the money it has loaned the Leafield-based outfit.

Although estimates differ, the ballpark figure is around $100m. As Pitpass reported recently, a reliable source claims that the money is secured on the factory, cars and other equipment, and if Super Aguri can't pay the money back, Honda GP gets the team.

It is understood that rather than being sent on to Istanbul for the next round of the championship, the Super Aguri cars have been sent to the Honda F1 team's Brackley factory. Though this has not been officially confirmed by either team.