Super Aguri test role for Yamamoto

Super Aguri confirmed on December 26th that Sakon Yamamoto will continue his relationship with the team as the second test driver for 2007. He and newly appointed test and reserve driver Giedo van der Garde will support the race line up of Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson.

Sakon Yamamoto.

Photo by xpb.cc.

"It is great news that I am able to stay in Formula One with Super Aguri F1 Team in 2007 and would like to thank everyone who has supported me, especially Aguri-san," Yamamoto said. "I will try to do my best in my new role and give the team good support from my time in the car next year."

Yamamoto was the third driver for Super Aguri from the 2006 British GP and made his race debut in Germany, replacing Franck Montagny, who had previously replaced Yuji Ide. Due to various problems Yamamoto didn't finish a race until China, then he subsequently reached the chequered flag in both Japan and Brazil.

However, after his four month stint as a Super Aguri racer, Yamamoto lost out when the squad announced mid-November that Davidson, previously test and reserve driver for Honda, would partner Sato in 2007. Team principal Aguri Suzuki aims to find Yamamoto a place in another series for next year, alongside his testing duties.

"I am very happy that Sakon will remain a member of the Super Aguri F1 Team family next season," Suzuki commented. "We will help him to secure a race seat in another category for 2007 and I am confident that his experience gained from Formula One racing this year will help him achieve this goal."