04/09/2006
NEWS STORY
The historic Autodromo Nationale di Monza circuit close to Milan plays host to the final European Grand Prix of the 2006 Formula One World Championship on Sunday 10th September.
Super Aguri has been preparing for the Italian race with drivers Takuma Sato and Sakon Yamamoto participating in a three-day, one-car test at the Monza circuit last week. The team conducted comprehensive development work on all areas of the SA06 including aerodynamics and intensive tyre assessments with Bridgestone. Takuma and Sakon completed a total of 130 laps and 749 kilometres between them over the three-day test.
Takuma Sato: "The Italian Grand Prix is a unique race as it is the fastest on the F1 calendar. After a positive test at the Monza circuit last week I believe that we have a good package for the race. We will, as always, work on our race set-up on Friday, and following a positive briefing after the test where we ran through our preparations, I am very much looking forward to returning to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix."
Sakon Yamamoto: "We have been testing in Monza in preparation for this week's race, so it was the perfect opportunity for me to learn the circuit. We were able to complete most of our planned testing programme for the new car, so we are quite prepared for the Grand Prix. I am looking forward to the race on this very quick circuit. In Turkey until I had a spin the race was okay for me, so I hope to do a good job in Monza and finish the race."
Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal: "The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a high-speed circuit. It is going to be a very demanding and special race for both the teams and the drivers. All the F1 teams, including ourselves, have been preparing the cars with a special set-up for this Grand Prix, but overall it is going to be a difficult race. We were able to complete our first 3-day test at the Monza circuit last week. Here we were able to find a good set-up for the SA06 and as a result we can go into the race with a positive attitude. Takuma and Sakon will be running the completely new version of the SA06 at the Italian Grand Prix, the last of the European races, and we would like to do our best."