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Spanish Grand Prix: The last race?
By Gunman April 28 2008
Yes, we did race. Was it our last race? Who knows? Even though we were the worst in qualifying and the practice sessions, just being able to race was already an achievement. And as the team officially stated, they were happy to be racing. Super Aguri got a lot of attention here. Even Takuma Sato was interviewed by Speed TV shortly before the race about the state of the team.

As in the last races, Super Aguri started from the last row of the grid and stayed last around the first turn.

Unfortunately, at lap 8, Davidson was forced to retire. His water radiator was damaged by some gravel dragged by Piquet. This was most disappointing for his fans, since Davidson was better than Sato at qualifying and he seems to be getting better at each race. (Relax, I'm not trying to start any drivers fight here, guys Wink)

 

So it was up to Sato to bring the SA08A to the finish line. When Kovalainen had his major accident and the safety car was out, a lot of cars had to pit while Sato stayed in the race. That brought him to his highest position that Sunday: 9th!

There was some optimism after the safety car went in and the team decided to showoff some of its famous fighting spirit. Sato went to the pits and as everyone saw clearly on TV, he changed to hard tyres and got a lot of fuel (I think reffuelling took twice the time the tyres change did). When he got back on track, we heard his team telling him on the radio that the other cars up to 9th would have to pit again, unlike him, thanks to the extra fuel. Unfortunately, he would only pass them if the safety car got out again, and it didn't. Even when Nico Rosberg retired, the commentators said: "And that will be one more place for Sato."

I enjoyed this whole thing, because it showed they weren't just looking for their usual race routine again.

 

As I already mentioned, this may have been the team's last race. The only good news is that Aguri Suzuki has plenty of time to negotiate something until the Turkish Grand Prix. He had this to say after the race:

"It was a tough race with only just over half of the competitors crossing the finish line. Despite the fact that we did not attend the test here last week, both drivers and all the mechanics and engineers have done a great job today. I am sorry for Anthony as he retired due to damage to his radiator, but he did a great job at the start. Taku had a very good race in a difficult situation and came home in 13th position, which is our best result so far this season. It has been a difficult weekend for everybody in our team and I would like to thank our partners and the fans for their continued support."

 

You can count on us, sir! 

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Re: Spanish Grand Prix: The last race?
Posted by: sessions (IP Logged)
Date: 02/05/2008 02:09

I'd hate to see the demise of SA. Losing teams is not what F1 is all about. Are there any other interested parties ?
What's up with Paul Stoddard(sp)? He sounded as though he was working his way back into F1. What about Eddie Jordan ?
Is Richard's out of the question because of his previous Honda screw ups ?
Hope you guys find a way to Hungary !

Sessions



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:05:02:02:11:28 by sessions.

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Re: Spanish Grand Prix: The last race?
Posted by: Phil Huff (IP Logged)
Date: 02/05/2008 09:42

Quote:
session
Are there any other interested parties ?
What's up with Paul Stoddard(sp)? He sounded as though he was working his way back into F1. What about Eddie Jordan ?
Is Richard's out of the question because of his previous Honda screw ups ?

Paul Stoddart has always done a lot of talking. Personally, I don't want him back in F1 but, that aside, I genuinely don't believe he's got the capability right now to get back in and build a car.

Eddie Jordan's finished with F1. He only just survived with Jordan, and got out at exactly the right time.

Dave Richards has no problem with Honda, but he's got a problem in having to design and build his own car, something Prodrive won't spend the money on for little or no return.

I fear that, assuming somebody buys SAF1, it'll only be delaying the inevitable.

Join other Honda Racing F1 fans on Facebook now.

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Re: Spanish Grand Prix: The last race?
Posted by: sessions (IP Logged)
Date: 02/05/2008 14:57

Too bad. if I had the energy of my late twenties combined with the love I have for F1, I,d get on a bandwagon to have it be the first Co Op team, owned by world fans. Treat like PBS in North America. Hire a guy like Jordan, get really high profile drivers if possible, and super professional fund raisers.
Sure it sounds like a pipedream, but you never know who might jump on board.
Create a give back cause thing like American Idol is doing to help out the World. If it caught on, the sky could be the limit.
I'm sure F1 fans would love knowing they owned a piece of the action, no matter how large or small the amount.

Good thoughts, Sessions



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2008:05:02:15:01:56 by sessions.

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Re: Spanish Grand Prix: The last race?
Posted by: sessions (IP Logged)
Date: 03/05/2008 13:57

Well, not much response to a Fan owned SA team, but I received an e-mail from a FJ ? from the Weigle Group AG, in Pottmes Germany, who mentioned they felt the same about SA. Losing F1 teams goes against the scheme of things and not to worry. They will offer a solution to the current problems if Honda is open to their proposal.
The E-mail sounded sincere, so maybe SA will remain a F1 player after all.
Now those are really "Good Thoughts."

Sessions

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