NEXT RACE - 20th July

Weigl confident of rescuing Super Aguri

Monday 5th May 2008

Weigl CEO Franz Josef Weigl has reassured Honda that his company is offering a long-term solution to Super Aguri's financial woes.

Super Aguri's participation in this weekend's Turkish GP is in doubt after Honda blocked their trucks and motorhome from entering the Istanbul paddock.

The Japanese carmaker reportedly informed Formula One management that Super Aguri would not be racing in Turkey, forcing the cash-strapped outfit to park their equipment outside the track as they await further news.

The team, though, will most probably have to wait until Tuesday when Weigl, the potential saviour of the F1 team, meets with Honda's manage to layout his investment proposal for Super Aguri.

However, in the meantime the 50-year-old German industrialist has assured Honda his reason for becoming involved in F1 and, more specifically in Super Aguri, is a long-term plan that he can sustain.

"Our prime mission and goal - with the help of Honda - is to bring Super Aguri to a superior technological level. Our company masters the technical know-how to bring this about," he said.

"I also strongly believe that to remain sound the F1 sport needs private teams and not only manufacturer's works teams.

"The Weigl group's offer is backed by strong business finance partners who along with the Weigl group would like to invest long term and not just short term.

"With our partners, the offer is not only about rescuing the team, but about constructing a future for the Super Aguri F1 team and Takuma Sato.

"We hope that Honda board members would be willing to have faith in our long term business plan."

According to reports, though, it is Honda's board members who are the sticking point in the Super Aguri deal as the Weigl have only made an offer to pay Honda back the money the team owes over a three-year period. Honda are believed to want it all at once.

Post to del.icio.us

E-mail Article Print-Friendly Version Subscribe to News RSS Feed