06/05/2008
NEWS STORY
One man who can relate to the failure of Super Aguri to survive in the harsh, unforgiving, world of F1, is former team owner Gian Carlo Minardi, who in late 2000, after fifteen years of struggling, his team on the verge of going under, sold a large slice of the outfit to Paul Stoddart.
Following today's sad news, Minardi shared his thoughts.
"I myself have lived his situation first hand, and can fully understand his state of mind at this moment," said the Italian, referring to Super Aguri boss Aguri Suzuki. "I knew Aguri as a youngster, and I am very sympathetic to his plight.
"Unfortunately, at a time when F1 is only focussed on the competitive teams, there is little interest in the small outfits with economic problems. In the past it happened with Minardi, but also with other teams. Just like (Super Aguri) they were used like servants, to make up the numbers, as part of the promotion of the sport.
"Super Aguri was created as a second team for Honda when it decided to run without a Japanese pilot, thereby avoiding problems in their home country," he continued. "Maybe the marketing didn't work, or maybe the (Honda) team principal is not interested in having a more stable satellite team.
"Currently F1 does not see the various struggles that there are at the back of the field. And given that the machines have now reached a good level of reliability, there is little interest in the survival of a small team."