Honda has said that it is not considering upping its support for the ailing Super Aguri
F1 team, despite concerns that the minnow could go out of business after an expected investor had a change of heart.
Super Aguri issued a statement yesterday [17 April] confirming that the backer, believed to be the Dubai International Capital company interested in buying a stake in Liverpool Football Club, had performed a U-turn when it came to providing life-saving finance for the Leafield squad.
"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," the statement read, "It is with deep regret that Aguri Suzuki is now forced to consider the future of the team, however negotiations with other parties continue."
While other potential backers are targeted, it had been suggested that chassis/engine partner Honda may step up to the plate and bail the team out in the short term. However, comments attributed to the Japanese giant overnight appear to confirm that there will be no additional help.
"We intend to continue the present structure of our support for
Super Aguri," a spokesman told
AFP, adding that there had been no formal request for financial assistance, "We understand, at the moment, that the talks with Magma are over as the statement from the Aguri team says."
Although the financial problems prevented Super Aguri from testing much before the start of the season, the spokesman attempted to quell rumours of an imminent demise by insisting that the team never intended to be present at this week's Barcelona session.
"This could mean that we don't go to the race," a team source was quoted by
Reuters when the news first broke, "Maybe we need a bit more backing from Honda to get us to Barcelona... Our future could be in
Honda's hands now - and Bernie's, I suppose."
