Unfortunately it is now the end of the line for Super Aguri. After seeking backing from many different sources in the last year, the end of the line has finally come. Today Aguri Suzuki announced the withdrawal from Formula 1 of Super Aguri with immediate affect.

It has been a mammoth effort from Aguri Suzuki to keep his team alive. No stone was left unturned in this effort, but with Honda standing firm on it’s refusal to help, and then banning Super Aguri from the circuit in Turkey, the end was written on the wall.

Here is the statement from Aguri Suzuki

“In order to realize my dream to become an owner of a Formula One Team, I applied for a grid position in the FIA Formula One World Championship in November 2005. Since then, I have participated in the championship for 2 years and 4 months as the Super Aguri F1 Team, but regretfully I must inform you that the team will be ceasing its racing activities as of today.

“The team has competed against the many car manufacturer backed teams and has succeeded in obtaining the first points after only the 22nd race finishing in 9th place overall in the 2007 Constructors’ Championship. However, the breach of contract by the promised partner SS United Oil & Gas Company resulted in the loss of financial backing and immediately put the team into financial difficulties. Also, the change in direction of the environment surrounding the team, in terms of the use of customer chassis, has affected our ability to find partners.

“Meanwhile, with the help of Honda, we have somehow managed to keep the team going, but we find it difficult to establish a way to continue the activities in the future within the environment surrounding F1 and as a result, I have concluded to withdraw from the Championship.

“I would like to express my deepest thanks to Honda, Bridgestone, the sponsors, all the people who have given us advise during various situations over the past couple of years all the Team Staff who have kept their motivations high and always done their best, Anthony Davidson who has always pushed to the limit despite the very difficult conditions, Takuma Sato who has been with us from the very start and has always fought hard and led the team and lastly our fans from all over the world who have loyally supported the Super Aguri F1 Team.”

Really, the end for Super Aguri came when Honda withdrew support to concentrate on their own future when all teams will have to build their own cars from 2010 onwards.

So now F1 is reduced to 10 teams with all able to claim the travel and prize money and now 2 spots are open for anyone wanting to start a new team and enter F1. Why? Who would want to consider putting up the money required to start an F1 team from scratch. F1 demands so much money to start an operation and then continue to fund it that it’s hard to imagine there would be any interested parties especially after witnessing the fight for life of Super Aguri. The controversial ‘budget cap‘ ideas may end up be the only way for a scratch team.

Until there is some sort of a budget cap, F1 will likely remain stagnant with the same teams and the only change possible being the owners. New blood in sports keeps things fresh and alive. F1 may have succeeded in preventing that, but hopefully for the short term only.

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