Super Aguri’s financial crisis remains dire, but two positive signs emerged from the Leafield camp on Saturday.
Firstly, it has emerged that one of the Japanese team’s transporters has been dispatched to the Circuit de Catalunya, scene of next Sunday’s Spanish grand prix, despite uncertainty about whether Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson will be able to compete.
The German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, meanwhile, reveals that negotiations to save the team are in full swing, including the involvement since last Wednesday of F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone — who has contributed personally to the similar rescue of struggling outfits in the past.
For Super Aguri to survive even to the chequered flag at Barcelona, it is reported that the team needs 2 million euros by Monday.
It is also suggested that Ecclestone, 77, is pushing for another buyout group – this time from Germany – to step up.
Part of his task could be to persuade Honda to commit to continue supplying Super Aguri with cars and engines until the end of 2009.
