Super Aguri may have found a last-minute saviour in the form of Weigl Group AG, as the beleagured Japanese minnows endeavour to strike a deal that will safeguard their participation in both next weekend's Turkish Grand Prix – and beyond that the remainder of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship.
A statement has been released affirming that the Leafield-based outfit and German company are in the final stage of discussions regarding the latter purchasing a substantial shareholding in the team.
The squad's hopes of survival were dealt a heavy blow prior to the Spanish Grand Prix, when the UK-based Magma Group – believed to be acting on behalf of Dubai International Capital – pulled the plug on a takeover bid after the latter is understood to have got cold feet over the sheer amount of investment that would be required merely to keep Super Aguri afloat.
There have also been murmurings of a potential deal with a Spanish consortium headed up by Alejandro Agag and GP2 team owner Adrian Campos and involving key sponsors Telefonica and Repsol [see separate story –
click here], but some in the grand prix paddock have suggested that possibility is to be taken with more than just a pinch of salt.
“We are happy that we have been able to resurrect talks between the Super Aguri F1 Team and Franz Weigl at such short notice,” underlined team principal Aguri Suzuki, “and to have the opportunity of presenting the Weigl Group to the Honda Board once again.
“Such a partnership as the one proposed by Weigl Group will allow us to race for the foreseeable future, and I am hopeful that all parties will find the group's offer a realistic package.”
“Weigl Group has decided to speak out openly at this decisive time for the Super Aguri F1 Team,” added Franz-Josef Weigl, the automobile parts manufacturer's CEO. “We would like to express sincere support for the team's participation in the Formula 1 World Championship and the group's – together with its sponsors and partners – earnest intention to provide ongoing investment to secure the team's future.”
