Japanese GP: Super Aguri Friday practice notes

Super Aguri F1 Team took to a wet Suzuka track today to commence its challenge on the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix. There were only eleven participants during the morning session which included all three SAF1 Team drivers who commenced their usual Friday testing duties. The weather conditions improved in the afternoon when the sun came out and the track started to dry. The SAF1 Team completed most of its planned Friday test and is encouraged by the SA06's performance today.

Franck Montagny:

"It was quite a good day. We tried the different tyre options and know which one is good for us. Because of the weather conditions this morning we worked on the wet tyres which gave us some good information. I think that we should be stronger here this weekend as the car was performing well today, with no real problems, so it was a good day for us I think."

Takuma Sato:

"Basically we completed our wet and dry runs during the changing weather conditions, which made it very difficult to evaluate the different car set-ups and meant that we could not do our back to back tyre test. However we were able to collect a lot of useful data. The car was working well with no problems today, so it has been a good start and it is great to see the incredible support from our fans from day one."

Sakon Yamamoto:

"Firstly, I am very happy to drive at Suzuka Circuit, it was really a fantastic feeling this morning when I went out on to the circuit - I felt that this is really my home track. During the morning session we had a rain shower and in the afternoon the circuit conditions changed a lot, so obviously it was a bit difficult to prepare and understand the car's situation. Every time we went out the track conditions were different, but on the last run we were able to use the dry tyres and get the feeling of the track and car with the dry tyres."

"The information we collected is going to be useful data because I have heard that tomorrow is going to be a dry day. I can still improve on my lap times because my last lap, which should have been my quickest, was compromised. I hope that I will be able to improve by one or two seconds tomorrow morning, but even so, I still have quite a good feeling from today."

Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal:

"Today we had very difficult conditions in Suzuka, but I'm sure that on Saturday and Sunday we are going to have better weather. We had rain this morning, but conditions improved in the afternoon as the track became drier and drier. However all these changes made it very difficult for us to find good set-up for our cars."

"Franck did a good job today and he understands which tyre option is better for us. He has provided us with a lot of information which will be of great use when we try to find a good set-up tomorrow. I think that Taku and Sakon also did a good job today, so I am looking forward to the rest of this Japanese Grand Prix weekend."

Takuma Sato
Chassis: SA06-03
FP1 Position: 10th
No. of Laps: 11
Best Lap Time: 1:48.042
FP2 Position: 26th
No. of Laps: 18
Best Lap Time: 1:38.533

Sakon Yamamoto
Chassis: SA06-04
FP1 Position: 11
No. of Laps: 9
Best Lap Time: 1:50.479
FP2 Position: 28th
No. of Laps: 14
Best Lap Time 1:38.955

Franck Montagny
Chassis: SA06-02
FP1 Position: 8th
No. of Laps: 13
Best Lap Time: 1:47.918
FP2 Position: 19th
No. of Laps: 20
Best Lap Time 1:37.354

-credit: super aguri