16/04/2008
NEWS STORY
Having missed this week's test in Barcelona, there is concern that Super Aguri could miss the forthcoming Spanish GP, leaving the future of the popular Japanese team in serious doubt.
It is understood that a deal which would see the team pass into the hands of the Magma Group has hit a major snag, namely that the Dubai investors behind the deal are unwilling to pay the amount being asked, thought to be around $100m.
According to Reuters, a team source claims that such is the state of the financial crisis facing the Leafield-based outfit, it could mean missing the Spanish GP.
The company behind the deal, Dubai International Capital, is also involved in a protracted bid to purchase Liverpool Football Club, and it's thought that this could be the reason why the Super Aguri deal has hit the buffers.
DIC is understood to be unhappy with the current asking price for Super Aguri, most of which would go straight to Honda to pay the team's debts.
Added to all this is the fact that should the team continue it must now focus its attention, and finances, on building a car for 2009, when it will not be allowed to run a customer car as it does at present.
Super Aguri has not made any official comment on the current situation.