"It was a slow, but unavoidable, business process [to become involved in F1]. Our clients are the main car manufacturers, [and] we developed a number of high level technology solutions on their behalf. Our technical solutions are trusted by most of the top teams. Indeed, we were sharing technology solutions with the Midland
F1 team and supported them in bringing high level solutions and expertise to help MF1 with the design and construction of its gearbox.
The German also revealed that he has a high-level supporter for his bid.
"Barcelona was very busy," he said of his much-reported visit to the Spanish Grand Prix, "[I had] a number of valuable business meetings with the
Super Aguri F1 team, with Mr Ecclestone - who confirmed to us that he wants the team to survive - and with
Honda's general manager of motorsports, to whom I communicated our official offer.
"Of course, I followed every moment of the grand prix. The Super Aguri team have been fighting for survival since the first day of the race in Spain, but
Takuma Sato finished the race in 13th position, the team's best result of the season. Super Aguri really have done their homework up to this point, although they had not been able to
test in good conditions since the start of the season.
"Sato is a strong F1 driver, [although] sometimes he has a kamikaze style. I am surprised how popular he is in Japan - sort of a sporting idol - but he has a difficult mission and he deals with it in a very subtle way."
Weigl knows that the final decision on his involvement is now in Honda's hands, and is not a foregone conclusion, as much because of the fact that it transpires that Honda wanted previous suitor Magma to repay the team's debt in one hit, where Weigl's offer is to repay it over three years. The next 48 hours should provide an answer.
