20/03/2006
NEWS STORY
 |
It should not be forgotten that talk of a new Japanese team first surfaced in the run up to last season's Japan Grand Prix.
With Takuma Sato dropped by BAR, which was to be subsequently bought out by Honda, the car manufacturing giant expected a backlash in the Japanese media. Therefore, when the Super Aguri rumour first surfaced, media sceptics elsewhere regarded it as a bit of smokescreen to take the heat off Honda at a difficult time.
However, as we all know, with the help of a couple of 2002 Arrows bought from Paul Stoddart, a helping hand from Bernie Ecclestone, the agreement of its rival teams, and the promise of support from Honda, Super Aguri became reality.
In Malaysia however, our sources learned that Super Aguri is feeling badly let down by Honda, which to all intents and purposes has reneged on previous agreements, with the order allegedly coming down from the President of Honda Racing, Yasuhiro Wada.
Originally it had been hoped the Honda (BAR) might help with chassis - well it worked for Toro Rosso - but instead Aguri Suzuki had to go to Paul Stoddart. Since then, Honda's assistance for the team that effectively saved its Japanese bacon, has been minimal, to put it mildly.
We hear that there is now a distinct feeling of bitterness within the Japanese F1 community, which feels that Wada has failed to complete his side of the deal.
That said, Aguri Suzuki has a lot of support in the paddock, including that of Bernie Ecclestone and Bridgestone.