These four teams ended 2008 propping up the constructors’ championship table. One of them had gone bust so long ago many had forgotten they were ever there. Where did it go wrong for Williams, Honda, Force India and Super Aguri in 2008? And will things be better for the three that remain in 2009?
Super Aguri articles archive
2008 F1 testing round-up 12: Paul Ricard
Posted onThe ten remaining Formula 1 teams spent Wednesday to Friday testing at Paul Ricard, former home of the French Grand Prix. It was very much a test in two parts, with the teams testing high-downforce configurations for the Monaco Grand Prix, the next round of the championship, and low-downforce settings for the Canadian Grand Prix … Continue reading 2008 F1 testing round-up 12: Paul Ricard
The worst-case scenario
Posted onCall it the credit crunch, call it the sub-prime crisis, whatever you call it, I call it trouble. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the consequences of the developing global economic downturn will be for Formula 1. But it’s hard to imagine them being good. And to the pessimists it could look very bad indeed.
2008 Turkish Grand Prix qualifying: Hat-trick of poles for Felipe Massa
Posted onFelipe Massa’s love affair with the Istanbul Park circuit goes on. He took his third pole position in a row at the circuit where he scored his first in 2006. It leaves him perfectly poised to turn the trick again in the race tomorrow. Joining him on the front row is McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen. He … Continue reading 2008 Turkish Grand Prix qualifying: Hat-trick of poles for Felipe Massa
Super Aguri leave Formula 1
Posted onAfter months of doubt over their future, Super Aguri team boss Aguri Suzuki has finally bowed to the inevitable and withdrawn his team from Formula 1.
How many teams does F1 need?
Posted onFollowing the disappointing news that Honda are about to give their pet dog Super Aguri the Old Yeller treatment it looks as though Formula 1 will have just 20 cars for the rest of the season. When I first started watching F1 in 1989 the series had just set an all-time record for the largest … Continue reading How many teams does F1 need?
Super Aguri barred from Istanbul track – are Honda killing their B-team?
Posted onAccording to reports a Super Aguri transporter has been barred from getting into the paddock at Istanbul. Autosport claims this is because the team will not be racing next weekend. Honda team principal Nick Fry told the magazine he does not believe the Weigl Group, who recently made a bid for the team, are able … Continue reading Super Aguri barred from Istanbul track – are Honda killing their B-team?
Analysis: F1 team mates in qualifying
Posted onThanks to D Winn and David Watkins who sent in further analysis of how each team’s drivers compare against each other in each part of qualifying, in response to yesterday’s comparison of team mates so far this year. If you want to contribute an article to F1Fanatic, have a look at the guest post section. … Continue reading Analysis: F1 team mates in qualifying
Analysis: F1 team mate battles so far
Posted onThere are three drivers who have beaten their team mates in each qualifying session and race so far this year. So is that because they’re much better than their team mates – or some other reason? Here’s a look at the side-by-side comparisons of the F1 drivers so far this year.
2009 F1 drivers – early predictions
Posted onIt’s early days, but Luca di Montezemolo’s comments last week about Ferrari not needing Fernando Alonso started me thinking about which drivers might be on the move for 2009. On the face of it Montezemolo doesn’t seem to want to change his pairing of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. And after three driver changes in … Continue reading 2009 F1 drivers – early predictions
Weigl Group is latest Super Aguri saviour
Posted onThis sounds a bit familiar: A new group has launched a rescue bid for the Super Aguri team, who were only able to contest last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix thanks to an 11th-hour rescue package from Honda.
Raikkonen leads crushing Ferrari one-two
2008 Spanish Grand Prix review
Posted onKimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa’s winning margin of 0.9s over Lewis Hamilton suggests the Spanish Grand Prix was a close run thing. It was anything but.
Spanish GP 2008 qualifying: Raikkonen holds back home hero Alonso
Posted onThe big question after qualifying is this: how much fuel does Fernando Alonso have in his Renault? The Spanish driver in his home race sent the crowd into rapture by snatching provisional pole position, only to lose it at the last to Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.
Super Aguri: no deal, but will race
Posted onSuper Aguri will race in the Spanish Grand Prix but negotiations to save the team are still going on. The F1 field faced being cut to 20 cars had they been a no-show. If a team misses a race and therefore does not contest the entire season it can incur severe financial penalties. Therefore in … Continue reading Super Aguri: no deal, but will race
Takuma Sato: the driver debates
Posted onThis time last year Takuma Sato gave Super Aguri their first ever point by finishing eighth in the Spanish Grand Prix – beating among others Giancarlo Fisichella in the Renault. But this year the team that was created to keep the Japanese driver in F1 might not even be racing. Does Sato deserve his place … Continue reading Takuma Sato: the driver debates
Super Aguri doubt may cut F1 to 20 cars (update: Honda will not help team)
Posted onThe Formula 1 grid could be down to just 20 cars for the Spanish Grand Prix as the Magma Group purchase of Super Aguri appears to have fallen through as was rumoured last week. Unless a source of funds is found in the eight days before next weekend’s race at the Circuit de Catalunya, Super … Continue reading Super Aguri doubt may cut F1 to 20 cars (update: Honda will not help team)
Anthony Davidson: the driver debates
Posted onToday’s subject of our weekly driver debates is Super Aguri pilot Anthony Davidson. How does he stack up against team mate Takuma Sato? What would he do in a more competitive car? Read my opinion and have your say below.
Super Aguri not out of the woods yet
Posted onEveryone held their breath waiting to see if Super Aguri would make it to the first round of the season. And we all cheered when the Magma Group swept in like knights on horseback to rescue them. But Super Aguri may not be out of danger just yet. According to this report they will be … Continue reading Super Aguri not out of the woods yet
Ferrari falter and Hamilton triumphs in Melbourne drama
2008 Australian Grand Prix
Posted onLewis Hamilton shrugged off the disappointment of losing the 2007 championship at the final round and started the new season back at the front of the title race.
New name and colours for Super Aguri
Posted onAccording to Autosport the new owners of Super Aguri are planning to give the team a new name and colour scheme in time for the Monaco Grand Prix. The team have secured backing from the Magma Group which is funded by the Dubai government. We’ve already got Force India on the grid -will Team Dubai … Continue reading New name and colours for Super Aguri