Still a chance for Super Aguri

The proposed new team Super Aguri had its application for the 2006 championship refused by the FIA but Honda chief executive Nick Fry believes there's still a good chance the outfit will be on the grid next year. Allegedly Super Aguri failed to pay the entry fee on time, hence the FIA's rejection, but the team intends to re-apply.

Nick Fry and Jenson Button.

Photo by xpb.cc.

"They've got a lot of work to do but they are progressing well from what we can see and I think there is a better than evens chance they will be on the grid," said Fry, according to Reuters, in regard to Super Aguri.

Acceptance for next year depends on all the other ten teams agreeing. "There are three months to go and all 10 teams have got to sign up so there is a bit of an issue there and I don't know where they are on that," Fry added.

"But in terms of physically being able to be on the grid, they've got a reasonable chance. From what I understand they are determined to be in Formula One and they've got the difficult bit which is the engine. I don't think they'll give up."

Super Aguri announced its intentions at the beginning of November, headed by former racer Aguri Suzuki and with the backing of Honda as engine supplier. The team factory is housed at the old Arrows base in Leafield, UK, and Bridgestone is reportedly the favoured tyre supplier.

No drivers were confirmed but ex-BAR Honda man Takuma Sato and also the team's tester Anthony Davidson were thought to be strong contenders for the race seats. Fry hopes that Davidson will stay with Honda as third driver but will not stand in his way if he gets and offer to race.

"We're hoping very much he stays with us because he'll have a great year and learn a lot from Jenson (Button) and Rubens (Barrichello) and they'll be a great team," Fry said. "If he's given the opportunity the following year, once Aguri has had the chance to get up to speed, then I think that will be great for him."