San Marino GP: Super Aguri preview

Super Aguri F1 Team is looking forward to its first race in Europe as it heads to the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola this week.

Since its encouraging performance in the opening rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship, the team has participated in the official test in Barcelona to prepare for the first run of European grands prix.

Although the team was able to run through a range of performance and reliability issues that will stand them in good stead for the upcoming races, they encountered a number of problems that prevented Yuji Ide from driving on the final day. As a result, Takuma Sato was only able to clock up 117 laps and 541 kilometres in total from the test.

Undeterred, the team now heads to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, a firm favourite amongst F1 drivers. The circuit is situated 20 miles south-east of Bologna and has hosted both the San Marino and Italian Grands Prix throughout its history. It is as a fast, narrow circuit with some daring corners and, along with Interlagos and Instanbul, is one of only three anti-clockwise circuits on the F1 calendar.

Takuma Sato:

"The start of the European season means that the team will be in its new motorhome, which will be exciting to see. Following the two-week break the team is now refreshed and looking forward to the San Marino Grand Prix. Imola is a unique circuit -- classic and narrow with a bumpy surface. We use a lot of kerb throughout the race, so car set-up is very important."

"The weather is often cold which makes the driving conditions very different from the first races of the season. Our car has good straight-line speed, but the chicanes and high-speed corners will make this race another challenge for us."

Yuji Ide:

"I am disappointed that I was not able to drive during the test in Barcelona last week as I really need to complete more miles and spend more time learning the car. I want to finish the next race as I did in Australia and hopefully be able to run a little faster. It is my first European race so I am looking forward to it and have been studying the Imola circuit during the break."

Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal:

"After three fly away races I am sure that the team members were glad to return home. In the time we have had back in the UK we have been able to work on the car and participate in an important test in Barcelona."

"The team was not able to complete its entire programme but was able to achieve a greater understanding of the SA05 as this was the car's first full testing programme. So I am content with our progress as the team flies to Italy for its first European race."

-superaguri-