Fellow failed formula one team owner Gian Carlo Minardi on Wednesday expressed his sympathy for Aguri Suzuki, one day after the Japanese team Super Aguri closed its garage doors at the end of a financial crisis.
“I myself have lived this situation first hand.
“I can understand how he is feeling at this moment,” the Italian said.
Faenza born Minardi sold out to Paul Stoddart at the end of 2000, and left the outfit altogether when it changed hands again to become Toro Rosso.
“I know Aguri very well and I am very sympathetic,” Minardi is quoted as saying by minardi.it.
“Unfortunately, an F1 that is so competitive is not very interested in small teams with financial problems.
“It happened in the past to Minardi, but also to others. We were used like servants to make up the numbers and help with the sport’s promotion and interest.”
Minardi, 60, observes that Super Aguri was created by Honda ahead of the 2006 season due to the backlash in Japan after Takuma Sato’s removal as a works driver.
“Perhaps the marketing failed, or perhaps the team principal was no longer interested in having a stable satellite operation.
“The current F1 is not interested in the various struggles that occur at the back, and now that the cars are so reliable, the small teams falls by the wayside,” Minardi added.
