Sato optimistic about Super Aguri's future (f1)

[Shiba-Kun]

Sato optimistic about Super Aguri's future
Monday 4th February 2008

Takuma Sato reckons Super Aguri can build on last year's improvements despite rumours that the team is on the verge of either being sold or dropping out of F1.

According to recent reports, Super Aguri is deep financial trouble, which has forced the team to reduce their pre-season testing.

There has even been speculation that the Japanese outfit may not see the end of the 2008 season, while rumours of a buy-out by the Spice Group continue.

But despite the rumours, Sato is confident that not only will Super Aguri make the 2008 grid but that the team will also improve on last year's results.

"We're expecting a tough fight at the beginning of the season, but we're still motivated," said Sato told Autosport.

"It's obviously very frustrating but the staff, the engineers and mechanics are all working hard.

"Because of the financial situation, last year we had to stop our development in the middle of the season, but this time I believe that, after a tough start, we can get to a point where we'll be more competitive than we were in either of the last two years.

"I really want to be able to fight for positions to the very last race. I'm doing a lot of training now - I'm physically, mentally fully ready and confident and really looking forward to going racing."

The Japanese driver, though, did concede that Super Aguri's financial situation is hampering their preparations for the new season. However, he hopes that starting the campaign with last year's SA07 will limit the damage.

"We were supposed to go to Valencia last week with the SA07B with some upgrades, but that was cancelled," he said.

"Next week we'll go to Jerez and then after that we should have two consecutive three-day tests at Barcelona, so that will be a total of nine days testing.

"We'll be using an interim car to start with, and we probably won't have the fully updated car until the last Barcelona test. Then I hope we can bring along the whole new package to Melbourne for the first race, the Australian Grand Prix."