Official: Yamamoto gets Aguri third driver slot.

The Super Aguri F1 team has announced that Sakon Yamamoto will join the team at the British Grand Prix this weekend - and at the two following events in Canada and the USA, as their official third driver.

Speculation that the Formula Nippon front-runner had inked a deal with the Leafield-based squad emerged on Wednesday, however an official spokesperson denied then that he had been signed. It now appears though that all obstacles have been overcome and Yamamoto will get his first outing in the Honda-powered SA05 on Friday during practice for the British GP.

08.06.2006 Silverstone, England, Sakon Yamamoto (JPN) Super Aguri F1 Team, Test Driver- Formula 1 Wo
08.06.2006 Silverstone, England, Sakon Yamamoto (JPN) Super Aguri F1 Team,…
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The Super Aguri F1 team has announced that Sakon Yamamoto will join the team at the British Grand Prix this weekend - and at the two following events in Canada and the USA, as their official third driver.

Speculation that the Formula Nippon front-runner had inked a deal with the Leafield-based squad emerged on Wednesday, however an official spokesperson denied then that he had been signed. It now appears though that all obstacles have been overcome and Yamamoto will get his first outing in the Honda-powered SA05 on Friday during practice for the British GP.

"The Super Aguri F1 team would like to thank Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd., and Kondo Racing for kindly releasing Sakon Yamamoto to be its third driver," added a statement from the squad.

Yamamoto meanwhile, who has limited F1 experience but who impressed on his sole outing as Jordan/Midland's third driver at the Japanese GP last year, is looking forward to getting back into an F1 car.

"I am very happy to be coming back into Formula One with the Super Aguri F1 team," he noted, "and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me. I will try to do my best in my new role as SAF1 Team third driver and give the team good feedback from my time in the car."

Yamamoto's appointment will no doubt fuel speculation that he is being groomed to step-up to replace Franck Montagny, who was brought in after Yuji Ide failed to impress. Team boss Aguri Suzuki has made no secret of his desire to run an all-Japanese line-up in F1 and now Montagny, who has been confirmed for the next three races, including the event at Silverstone this weekend, will be eager to impress to show he deserves to remain in the second car alongside Takuma Sato.

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