08/10/2006
NEWS STORY
Over one hundred and twenty thousand fans at the Suzuka Circuit today were able to cheer the Super Aguri drivers' home as both Takuma Sato and Sakon Yamamoto took the chequered flag at the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix. It is a fantastic result for the young, small team who worked so hard to make the dream of a new F1 team become a reality at the end of 2005. The combination of exceptional team work, at the races and back home at the SAF1 Team factory in Leafield, and close relationships with both engine supplier Honda and Bridgestone tyres, has ensured that the team is now truly competing with nearest rivals Spyker MF1 and Scuderia Toro Rosso.
Takuma Sato: This is an absolutely fantastic result for the team – we could not have asked for anything more. Our performance at the beginning of the weekend was not as it should have been, but I believe that we have done everything that we could for the race. The start was very exciting. I overtook a few cars into turn one, but then I got held up and re-overtaken, but then at the Esses I re-overtook Scott Speed, which was an exciting moment. Unfortunately my pace then was not enough and I was overtaken by Speed again. But after I settled into the race the car worked very well and the Bridgestone tyres gave superb performance, so I was able to run competitively. The boys in the team did a tremendous job - I think that the pitstops were the best we have done all season - very quick and very accurate. And the fans were incredible! We had great support and at the end I could see all of the flags shining through the sunlight. For me, counting down the laps to the last lap at Suzuka is a very special feeling, but also very sad as the race is ending, and especially as this may be our last race here for a while. I think that the team is really satisfied with our two-car finish today.
Sakon Yamamoto: I really appreciate the support from everyone who has come to the race this weekend. Their support gave me the extra power to finish the race. I would like to thank the team, sponsors and everyone who has supported me through my career. It is a fantastic feeling to finish my home grand prix at the Suzuka Circuit, but on the other hand I am a racer, and I always want to go faster, so I will review my race and prepare myself for the next grand prix in Brazil.
Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal: I would like to say ‘thank you' to everybody – my team, the fans, everybody who has been supporting us. It is a great result for us to have a two-car finish here and both drivers have done a great job today. At the moment, however, it is a perfect result for us whilst we are still a small and new team. So I am very happy that we have achieved this result here at Suzuka today, especially as it may be the circuit's last grand prix.
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