He’s done it again for the 5th time this season and was only a whisker away from the trifecta, losing out on the fastest lap to Massa by a mere few hundredths of a second.

Image courtesy of the telegraph.co.uk

Not only did Button stake his firm claim over the rights to the 2009 championship in Monaco, he even managed to sprint 400 metres in joyful exuberance to meet with Prince Albert after enduring what was 2 hours of the toughest racing on the planet – and all because he parked in the wrong spot.

Button thoroughly deserves everything he is winning and no one – least of all me, begrudges him any of the success he is obtaining.

Button’s pole to win in Monaco had WDC stamped all over it and has all but surely sealed everyone apart from his teammate Barrichello’s chances of spoiling the party. Somehow, I highly doubt the Brazilian has the motivation or the mindset to challenge for wins let alone championships and sadly, Rubens looks set to see out the rest of his distinguished F1 career as a rear gunner.

Say goodbye to the lovable Brazilian. I met him twice in 2006 over beers in Suzuka and both times he was quite annoyed at playing second fiddle to a certain German. Nothing but the nationality of his team mate has changed.

Next year Rubens will not be renewed and his place in the team will be taken by Bruno Senna who was given a year in the wings while the other three B’s sorted out the 2009 chassis. No doubt the 2010 chassis will be a cracker too.

In the race, Rubens claimed dirty air was to blame for the graining of his first set of options but Button went on ahead calmly and methodically staved out a gap that was never to be headed. Both Brawns, surprisingly, had started on the option super softs while the majority of the paddock were out on the prime tyre. I have noticed the 2009 Honda (Brawn F1) is surprisingly gentle on its tyres, not to mention very fast and very reliable and that is an ominous sign for the rest of the paddock.

4 wins from 5 races and 3 1-2’s is hugely significant.

This type of domination hasn’t been seen since the Ferrari F2002 and is miraculousness in action considering Brawn GP was nothing but a failed Honda dream that lost all power in 2008. Remember the F2002 took 16 from 20 wins in 2002/03.

The BGP-01 is already 4 from 5 and that is a simply massive thing to contemplate.

The “Power of dreams” in different more capable hands shall we say?

Toyota would do well to take a long hard look at Brawn GP and then sit down and think deeply about why they have failed, time and time and time again.

I have no doubt in my mind that freeing up Brawn from all the beauraucratic idiosyncracies that encapsulate the Japanese auto giant and it’s hard headed, honour and family bound managerial styles counted in a heavy way towards their success this year.

The best thing Honda could have done was to walk away from F1 as a manufacturer and support Brawn with the resurrection.

Honda were not of the mind set to win in F1 because they were stuck in the old ways of doing things and “old ways”, in F1 speak, equal the words slow and failure. The old ways have no business being in the cutting edge of F1.

Old people, yes – just take a look at Bernie Ecclestone and Sir Frank Williams. But not old ideas and old ways of thinking.

If you look into F1 history and reflect upon all of the achievements throughout it you will see F1 champions old and new who drove cars built by a certain team but powered by a Japanese manufacturer. Senna is a perfect example. Chassis by McLaren – Powerplant by Honda.

And it worked. Astonishingly well. The MP4-5, for example, was a revelation that nothing, not even the threat of mechanical failure, could prevent from winning almost every race.

McLaren chassis. Honda power.

This was the way it should be – just like the modern McLaren and Mercedes relationship is.

Mercedes doesn’t tell McLaren how to build a chassis and McLaren doesn’t tell Mercedes how to build an engine!

Someone, somewhere along the lines, forgot to translate this work ethos and idealogy into English for these boys and girls to behold.

Tragically, somewhere along the line, Japan forgot about where its place in F1 was and is now cursing the Gods and themselves…after fluishing billions of dollars down the drain and are now leaving the sport becuase they still cant figure out why they arent winning!

Utter madness.

Aguri Suzukis biggest hurdle and biggest paradox to success in F1 was down to one thing.

Honda.

With them things could be done. Without them, Aguri was toast and he couldnt bite the hands that fed him. When I bumped into him on his way to Melbourne in 2007, he seemed upbeat and resolute but I sensed something wasnt right. That may or may not have been down to me interupting his lunch to say hello!

Nevertheless, the point is clear. Japan cant succeed in F1 as a manufacturer.

Toyota is going to pull out and this has all but been confirmed by Max Mosley and Honda and Super Aguri are already yesterday’s news.

The sport will miss them but not for lack of trying – more for a lack of serious intent.

To sum up, the point is very clear.

Japan can never and will never succeed in any great way in F1 as a manufacturer.

History has shown that their greatest victories have always been won as a partner towards the greater cause.

LUTO

O presidente da FIA, Max Mosley, recebeu uma notícia trágica. Seu filho, Alexander Mosley foi encontrado morto dentro da sua casa em Londres.

Alexander foi encontrado desacordado em seu quarto e logo parentes chamaram a polícia, mas os paramédicos não conseguiram ressuscitá-lo. A suspeita é que o filho de Mosley morreu em decorrência de uma overdose de drogas. 

OPINIÃO DO BANDEIRA QUADRICULADA

Triste. Se confirmada a morte por overdose, é de se lamentar que as drogas conseguiram tirar a vida de mais um ser humano.

-*- 

AGORA VAI ! (?)

O GP da Espanha será interessante para Rubens Barrichello. O piloto acredita que o fato de não ter mais testes livres pode ajudá-lo. “Com a falta de testes, teremos de tomar decisões importantes quanto aos itens introduzidos no carro, o chamado novo pacote aerodinâmico”, disse Barrichello.

Rubinho está extremamente confiante pelo fato de ter testado o Brawn GP 001 pela primeira vez em Barcelona. “É uma pista que gosto e, acima de tudo, me deu a primeira oportunidade de andar com a Brawn. Foi aqui que logo senti que o carro era bom, então, será especial retornar a Barcelona”, finalizou. 

OPINIÃO DO BQ

Barrichello coloca pressão em si mesmo. Sabe que precisa vencer ou no mínimo, pontuar mais que Button. Acredito em boa prova do brasileiro, principalmente pelo equilíbrio entre ele e seu companheiro de equipe. Chegou a hora de Rubinho.

 -*-

TRENZINHO 2010

Mais uma equipe se candidata a disputar o Mundial de 2010. A Super Aguri, após sair na metade do Mundial de 2008 por problemas financeiros, pode surgir no grid do ano que vem. É o que revelou o dono da ex-escuderia, Aguri Suzuki. ”Se fosse possível eu certamente gostaria de voltar a F-1”, disse Suzuki.

OPINIÃO DO BQ

Agora virou festa: Prodrive, Lola, USGPE e a Super Aguri querem disputar o Mundial de Fórmula 1. Espero que Ecclestone não nivele a Fórmula 1 por baixo. Com o novo regulamento para 2010, a inovação será menor e as chances de termos carros comuns são grandes. Veremos.

the PKF Insolvency company have revealed that the Honda Motor Company stopped them selling the Super Aguri Formula One Team as a going concern as they looked to re-coup their losses immediately.

Super Aguri was formed in 2006 by Aguri Suzuki, and had a lot of backing from Honda.  Despite good results in the 2007 season, during 2008 the Leafield based team went into administration and PKF were called in.

They formed a model which showed the sale, and indeed had someone ready to purchase.  Smaller level investors of the team were happy to see the sale go through, but Honda, who were thought to have many millions invested said no.

PKF are now looking to recoup losses of $400,000 in fees, which Honda refuse to pay.

“Any insolvency practitioner will say that (administration) was the only route for Super Aguri as there were buyers for it,” said PKF partner Philip Long.

“Honda didn’t want Super Aguri exposed to the marketplace,” he added. “Smaller unsecured creditors voted for our proposals and fees”

Aan de vooravond van de GP van Turkije is het doek gevallen over Super Aguri. Wie dit jaar 24 wagens had verwacht op de grid, komt dus bedrogen uit. Nog voor de seizoensstart gaf Prodrive forfait, en nu haakt ook het officieuze Honda B-team af. Gevolg: een mager startveld met slechts 10 teams vanaf Istanbul en volgende.
Dat Super Aguri met financiële problemen kampte, werd eind 2007 duidelijk toen bleek dat hoofdsponsor SS United niet aan zijn verplichtingen kon voldoen. Honda, dat gedurende twee seizoenen nagenoeg alle rekeningen van Super Aguri had betaald, speelde toen al met het idee zijn tweede team af te voeren. Onderhandelingen met kandidaat-investeerders uit Dubai (Magma Group) en Duitsland (Weigl AG) draaiden op niets uit en daarmee was het verdict gevallen.
Het valt echter sterk te betwijfelen of de financiële moeilijkheden de hoofdreden zijn voor het verdwijnen van Super Aguri. In 2007 kende Honda Racing F1 een rampseizoen waarin het een bedroevend laag aantal WK-punten verzamelde en in de wedstrijden regelmatig werd voorbijgesneld door de enthousiaste poulains van Aguri Suzuki. Een vernedering die Nick Fry, de toenmalige baas van het works team, nooit heeft verteerd.
Fry heeft, sinds zijn aanstelling als CEO van de racing division van Honda, alles in het werk gesteld om zijn Japanse bazen te overtuigen zich te concentreren op één F1-team. Indien Super Aguri zou blijven voortbestaan onder de Honda-paraplu, met daarbij de verplichting om vanaf 2010 een eigen wagen te ontwikkelen (wegens het verbod op klantenwagens), dan zou dit tot een blijvende verspreide inzet van Honda resources leiden.
Fry’s optreden kreeg de laatste dagen een macaber karakter. Zondag liet hij de Super Aguri trucks de toegang ontzeggen tot Istanbul Park, zogezegd om Honda de schande te besparen van een verwijdering uit de paddock. Dinsdag was de broedermoord binnen de Honda-familie voltrokken. Super Aguri hield op te bestaan, Honda Racing F1 leeft alleen verder.

Super Aguri F1 Team have officially withdrawn from Formula One after a series of financial problems and failed attempts to save the team.

The team, which joined F1 in 2006 have withdrawn with immediate effect.

Magma Group looked set to help the ailing team, who were lacking finances after the 2007 title sponsor did not pay their advertising fees.  Their attempt fell through at the last hurdle, and after Honda claimed they could not support two teams, Weigl Group tried to buy Aguri but it was not a good enough offer.

Official Statement From Aguri Suzuki himself:

“In order to realise my dream to become an owner of a Formula One team, I applied for a grid position in the FIA Formula One World Championship in November 2005,” 

“Since then, I have participated in the championship for two years and four months as the Super Aguri F1 Team, but regretfully I must inform you that the team will cease their racing activities as of today.”

“The team competed against the many car manufacturer-backed teams and have succeeded in obtaining the first points after only the 22nd race finishing in ninth place overall in the 2007 constructors’ championship.

“However, the breach of contract by the promised partner SS United Oil & Gas Company resulted in the loss of financial backing and immediately put the team into financial difficulties. Also, the change in direction of the environment surrounding the team, in terms of the use of customer chassis, has affected our ability to find partners.

“Meanwhile, with the help of Honda, we have somehow managed to keep the team going, but we find it difficult to establish a way to continue the activities in the future within the environment surrounding F1 and as a result, I have concluded to withdraw from the championship.

“I would like to express my deepest thanks to Honda, Bridgestone, the sponsors, all the people who have given us advise during various situations over the past couple of years all the Team Staff who have kept their motivations high and always done their best, Anthony Davidson who has always pushed to the limit despite the very difficult conditions, Takuma Sato who has been with us from the very start and has always fought hard and led the team and lastly our fans from all over the world who have loyally supported the Super Aguri F1 Team.”

Honda’s Statement read:

“Honda has continued to support the team as much as possible but Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal has come to Honda and expressed his decision to withdraw from Formula One as he is not capable of establishing a foundation for independent operation of the team,”

“The Super Aguri F1 Team’s withdrawal is indeed very disappointing for us but we understand that it was inevitable unless the team could find a way to stand alone by itself in the future.

“We would like to express our thankfulness to the Super Aguri F1 Team and all the fans who have supported them for sharing the dreams and fighting together with Honda.”

What a terrible shame to see another team leave.  Only last week, i commented to a friend that i felt Aguri had become like Prost, a former racer who looked to be on the right track losing out because of a lack of sponsorship.  The biggest question now is, who is going to fill the extra place?  Prodrive didn’t start, so F1 has 2 empty spots.

Look Out for a special article on SUPER AGURI – coming soon!

After two seasons, and four races of hard fought competition Aguri Suzuki has decided to throw in the racing towel and withdraw the Super Aguri F1 Team from the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship with immediate effect. With the rules changing and effectively forbidding the entry of teams running cars developed by their competitors, it seems that the days of the small time team drawing on the strengths of the world’s automotive industry are all but over. Does this mean that the Eddie Jordans, Paul Stoddarts and even Aguri Suzukis of the world will never again rise to the peak that is Formula One?

Honda certainly seem to think so.

After leaving team boss Suzuki with no other choice than to offer his withdrawal, the bosses in Japan maintained that the collapse of the team was inevitable if there was no private support to be found, and although they were willing to fund the team further, Suzuki appeared to capitulate. He admitted that the strain of trying to keep the team afloat had got to him, he wanted out and he would not be rejoining the Formula One circus again any time soon.

This for one was sad, to see a man who had embodied the underdog fighter spirit that had become the raison d’etre for his team simply lose his will to continue. Takuma Sato fought as ever to the last minute, releasing a press release late on Monday calling on Honda to provide the necessary support to let the team fight it’s corner in Turkey this weekend.

Upsetting it may have been, but no less so than the loss of the likes of Jordan, Minardi, Arrows, Stewart and Tyrell in the last 10 years. There is simply no room for the small team in the US$500 million a year world of Formula One. One could argue that Ron Dennis and Frank Williams have maintained stability in recent years, but their true success came from the late eighties and early nineties. They were already big teams by the time the major car manufacturers like Renault, Toyota, Honda and BMW all muscled in with their own teams in more recent years.

The next question for me is who is next? If this rule bans the existence of customer teams, then are there storms on the horizon for Scudeira Toro Rosso? Owner Dieter Mateschitz made a rare appearance at the Spanish Grand Prix just over a week ago, only to see Sebastian Vettel crash on the first lap, and Sebastien Bourdais be literally pushed out of the race by manufacturer Renault, in the form of Nelsinho Piquet on a charge. Team boss Gerhard Berger has a large stake in the Austro/Italian outfit, but without the use of last year’s Ferrari engines, and without the support of millionaire Red Bull magnate Mateschitz, there can not be a viable future for the team.

For now, Toro Rosso continue to stand and fight, unlike poor Super Aguri whose fate has now been decided. As sad as it is to see the likes of Aguri Suzuki disappear from the world of Formula One, if it means that Honda can make that long awaited rise up the grid, few will say they made the wrong decision. Will it be quality before quantity for the Japanese corporate machine? Only time will tell…

Super Aguri abandona, lo deja. Los problemas financieros han devorado al equipo de Aguri Suzuki: “Desgraciadamente debo informar que el equipo cesará en sus actividades a partir de hoy”. El Gran Premio de Turquía, por lo tanto, contará con sólo diez equipos y veinte coches.

Super Aguri nació en 2006. Durante dos años y cuatro meses, ha participado en el Mundial, puntuando en dos ocasiones: España y Canadá 2007. La temporada pasada finalizó noveno en la clasificación de constructores, superando a Spyker (Force India) y McLaren, que fue desposeído de todos los puntos por el escándalo de espionaje sobre Ferrari.

Los impagos de uno de sus principales patrocinadores desataron los problemas de solvencia de la escudería, que cierra la persiana y deja a Takuma Sato y Anthony Davidson sin volante. El Mundial se queda un poco más huérfano.

A Super Aguri source has confirmed that the team’s equipment trucks and motor home have been locked out of Turkey circuit
Officials at the circuit which is owned by Bernie Ecclestone have denied Super Aguri access when they arrived to prepare for this Sunday’s race.
The trucks are currently parked outside the circuit
Super Aguri team members were told by circuit officials that they had been instructed by Ecclestone’s company to deny access to the paddock. 
When Super Aguri management contacted Eccelstone they were then told that Nick Fry had instructed Ecclestone that Super Aguri would not be getting the go ahead to compete in Turkey.
It is understood that Aguri Suzuki who is currently in Japan, is now pushing hard to have the original planned Tuesday meeting fast-forwarded to Monday.
He is hoping the proposed buyout deal with Weigl will be given the go ahead
If not it looks like Super Aguri will be excluded from this weekends race

Weigl have made a last minute offer of £6.5million to save the Super Aguri team, bankrolling them until the end of the season.

The cash strapped minnows are heavily supported by Honda, and it looked like the fate of Aguri was in the hands of Japanese bosses.

There will be a meeting tomorrow, and it is likely that Weigl’s offer will be considered, and at this time it is suspected it will be accepted.

Dubai International Capital’s offer through Magma Group fell through, and Aguri have been in dismay ever since.

“It’s very important in the next week,” Aguri Suzuki said in the paddock of Barcelona last weekend.

“I have a meeting with Honda next Wednesday and it’s a key point to the future of our team.

“Now, we don’t have any development of the car and this is very serious. Anyway, we try to find some solutions to help us continue.”

Anthony Davidson has admitted that he is preparing for the Turkish Grand Prix in 2 weeks time like normal, despite the future of the Aguri team being held in the balance.

The Japanese team hasn’t secured funding, and could go bust at any time.  Aguri Suzuki has said he is relying on Honda, who say they can’t fund 2 teams.

“You have to [prepare like normal],” Davidson commented after the Spanish GP.

“I have to do the training for Turkey – it’s a demanding circuit on the left-hand-side of the neck and body, so I have to get on and do that.

“And without finishing the race here – well, without even doing more than four laps – it doesn’t really do much for your race fitness, so you’ve got to do as much as you can away from the circuit.”

Even Bernie Ecclestone is now getting concerned for the future of Super Aguri.

“They don’t look in very good shape at the moment, unfortunately.  I want them to stay, I’ve been helping them the last week to get sorted” Bernie told Reuters

Super Aguri have confirmed that their cars are on the way to Barcelona for the Spanish GP despite tskeover talks falling through.

The Japanese minnows were set to be bought by a group of Arabic investors via Magma Group.  However, that deal fell through and the cars were thus not present at recent testing, and their future was in doubt.

Aguri Suzuki didn’t think he had funding to keep the team going.

But, they will be in Spain.

“I have heard that the cars being transported to Spain,” Fumio Akita of Aguri told Reuters on Tuesday.

“They’re on the way is the latest information I have.”

The future of Super Aguri Formula One team is in doubt tonight as crisis talks take place between senior members of the young Japanese team.

They were expected to be celebrating securing the future of the team today, as talks with Magma Group who were buying the team on behalf of a group of welathy Dubai investors were set to finish after being rubber stamped by Honda’s senior board in Japan.

However Magma informed Aguri Suzuki that they no longer wanted the team.

This has led to more doubts being cast, as they struggle to find the finances with lacking sponsors.

The statement from Super Aguri read:

“Super Aguri F1 Team confirms that it has been informed by Magma Group, the potential purchasers of the team, that its investors no longer wish to fund the intended acquisition.

“It is with deep regret that Aguri Suzuki is now forced to consider the future of the team, however negotiations with other parties continue.”

Super Aguri still look in some trouble as they cannot attend the forthcoming 3 day tests at Barcelona because of issues with the deal with Magma Group.

Aguri didn’t attend a lot of preseason testing, and their 2008 car is somewhat off the pace.  They need all of the testing time they can get.

But because the deal with Magma hasnt been signed off yet, they can’t piece everything together and get out to Spain.  The team trucks will have to stay in Leafield while the bosses continue their negotiations with Magma’s bosses.

“The final agreement is not yet finished with the Magma Group, but hopefully it will happen very soon, and then we can press the button to start development.” Aguri driver Takuma Sato said 

“So the next time I will drive will be in Friday practice for the Spanish Grand Prix.” 

Super Aguri F1 team have told the motorsport world that they are confident on their future, as an investor is being lined up.

The team have had a torrid winter, filled with financial worries.

This has led to them looking for a new investor, which could come from various countries.  However, the latest reports believe that Magma Group, a British based backer is going to be the one to buy out Super Aguri.

It is believed to be Aguri Suzuki’s preferred choice.

Daniel Audetto told Autosprint Magazine that the new SA08 was ready, and that shipment was going to begin tomorrow.  He also admitted that the financial situation was going to be sorted this week.

“The situation is difficult but we are confident,” he said

“At this moment, the negotiation for the buy-out by an important company floated on the stock exchange should be defined.

“This would allow us to have the resources to face the season as programmed. Everything will have to be defined by soon, because after that there wouldn’t be any more time to send the material to Australia.”

Super Aguri have confirmed that they will be present for the first race of the season in Australia less than a month away.

The Japanese minnows have been missing from recent tests, and rumour was hotting up that the team, who only entered F1 in 2005, were going out of business.

“The cancellation was because some parts hadn’t arrived in time,” Super Aguri’s co-owner Fumio Akita told Reuters.

“We are usually scrambling to be ready for the start of the season.

“It was very tight last year and this year is following the same pattern. But we will be on the grid for Melbourne. We’re not worried at all about missing out.”

As I mentioned previously, the team looked like it was going into administration because of sponsor issues.  They have been considering takeovers from a variety of groups.

“Any sponsors or investors who leave the infrastructure there and back the team to improve results would be ideal,” he said.

“How much any potential stake in the team would be does depend on the conditions the investor has. But even if it’s a 100 percent stake you can’t sensibly get rid of the team per se.

“If you have no Aguri (Suzuki) you probably lose Honda as engine suppliers. If investors come in and say they can bring in BMW engines that’s a different story.”

As reported on HomeofSport

Magny Cours will ‘definitely’ be Franck Montagny’s last grand prix for now with Super Aguri…..Yamamoto, to re-complete an all-Japanese line-up, is sure to appear at Hockenheim, with Montagny saying: ‘I know this will be my last race. ‘From Hockenheim onwards I will certainly be the third driver.’

So we’ll have to see another banging-into-other-cars Japanese driver ? Once more the language-problem excuse for axing the driver ? Montagny at least kept his hands clean and stayed away from other cars [not that he could catch them]. But I can understand the pressure Aguri Suzuki might been feeling to have all-Japanese driver lineup, thanks to his Japanese sponsors.

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Super Aguri . Aguri Suzuki . Franck Montagny . Sakon Yamamoto . Magny Cours . Hockenheim

As reported on HomeofSport

The fledgling team's boss, Aguri Suzuki, admitted that the language barrier played a notable role in 31-year-old Ide's struggle earlier this year, and subsequent loss of his Super License credentials. 'He'd done just 200 kilometres in an F1 car before Bahrain,' said the Japanese.

Aguri Suzuki, who has temporarily replaced Ide with Franck Montagny, told Britain's F1 Racing magazine: 'Because he's so inexperienced ... even I found his answers hard to understand.'

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Yuji Ide . Aguri Suzuki . Super Aguri . Franck Montagny