Japanese GP: Super Aguri preview

Super Aguri F1 Team heads for Round 17 of the 2006 Formula One World Championship at the Japanese Grand Prix. The SAF1 Team, which was 'Born in Japan', has been eagerly awaiting its 'home race' at the Suzuka Circuit and the team's arrival in ...

Super Aguri F1 Team heads for Round 17 of the 2006 Formula One World Championship at the Japanese Grand Prix. The SAF1 Team, which was 'Born in Japan', has been eagerly awaiting its 'home race' at the Suzuka Circuit and the team's arrival in Japan this week has been enthusiastically anticipated by Japanese and international racing fans alike.

The Honda-owned Suzuka Racing Circuit is situated on Honshu, the largest of the Japanese islands. Considered by many to be a true drivers' circuit, the 18-turn, figure-of-eight track is unique in the Formula One calendar. A lap of the track begins with a fast 7th gear bend that tightens to lead into a series of fast S-bends. Spoon Curve and the legendary 130R are the other great challenges of the track, with possible overtaking opportunities in the Casio Triangle chicane and occasionally at the first corner or at the Turn 11 Hairpin.

Takuma Sato:

"Suzuka will be extremely challenging both mentally and physically for us this year. We are really upbeat after a great race in Shanghai and we should have a very strong package now. Suzuka has an equal number of the right and left- hand corners and most of them lead straight into each other, so it is important to have the absolutely right balance of the car, which I believe we can achieve after our successful testing at Silverstone last month."

"We are firmly concentrating on performing well at this race as this will be not only our first, but our only chance to visit Suzuka this year, so we are passionate to have a good weekend for our fans. I cannot wait to share the massive support that I have had over the years as I am sure that all the team will feel it."

Sakon Yamamoto:

"This really is my home grand prix because I was born very close to Suzuka. When I was eight years old I went to see the F1 race there and ever since that day I have wanted to be an F1 driver. So I joined the Suzuka Kart Racing School when I was 12 years old and that was my first step into motorsport. I drove my first Formula car at Suzuka and what I could see from the car was just like what I had been watching on the TV!"

"I have grown up with the Suzuka circuit, so I cannot help but be excited to be going to the Japanese Grand Prix for the first time as a Formula One driver and with a Japanese team. Last weekend in China I finished an F1 race for the first time, so this is a good step for me going to Suzuka this week. I am really looking forward to seeing all of the Japanese fans and I will try to do the best, even more than usual, in front of my home crowd."

Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal:

"The Japanese Grand Prix is the most important race of the year for our team. We developed the SA06 almost with Suzuka in mind. There will be many Japanese and Super Aguri F1 Team fans coming to Suzuka to support us this week and the atmosphere will be amazing when we arrive. I hope that Taku and Sakon will have a good race and I know that the team will be giving 110% at their home grand prix."