So Long Super Aguri: Financial Woes Cause Formula One Team to Call it A Day

Pedro May 7th, 2008 10:40 AM Link

Although I don’t think anyone gave them much of a chance at winning races, it’s sad they couldn’t make it through the season. With Pro Drive out for 2009, it does paint a bleak picture for privateer teams that at one time were the driving force behind F1 (how much longer can Williams survive?). I hope at least that the pass Taku put on Alonso in Canada last year will live in infamy and Super Aguri (Best Friends, as Mr. Matchett would say) doesn’t fade into a footnote. Nice run, boys!

Steve May 7th, 2008 12:04 PM Link

It’s a damn shame to see them go. They will be missed.

and… As Pedro mentioned… I’ll never forget that pass that Taku had on Alonso… It had me up out of my seat screaming!

Andy May 7th, 2008 3:05 PM Link

I don’t think Williams is in any danger of folding soon. Don’t forget, Super Aguri didn’t build their own chassis; nor did Prodrive have any intent to build theirs, preferring instead to source their cars from McLaren Mercedes.

Williams has always built its own chassis and, thus, conforms to the Concorde Agreement that governs Formula One. F1 teams are in short supply; sponsors who wish exposure to F1’s global audience have an increasingly small universe of cars upon which to place their ads, particularly ones with a history of winning championships, as Williams has.

The “customer cars” clause of the Concorde Agreement is also why I predict Dieter Mateschitz will have a tough time selling Toro Rosso.

Cheers,
Andy

dieselhead May 7th, 2008 3:22 PM Link

How does this improve F1?

mena May 7th, 2008 5:34 PM Link

How does this improve F1?

By removing a never will be competitive team from the ranks. Bye bye Super Best Friends, I could care less.

Jeff May 7th, 2008 5:46 PM Link

This is sort of sad, I will miss the super best friends. Sure, they weren’t that great, but don’t forget that they did punch above their weight at times. Too bad they couldn’t get a sponsor, it’s always good to have more teams than less. Who will get the team next? What I’ve noticed through my years of F1 watching is that teams don’t die or get created- they just change names.

Brad May 7th, 2008 6:24 PM Link

I’m sorry to see the Super Best Friends go. To see them get overjoyed at such things as scoring A point, was sort of refreshing in the sterile button upped world of F1.

It’s a sad day when any team has to leave Formula 1. It’s a very expensive sport to stay in for a long time.

And yes I have the Sato pass on Alonzo recorded so Super Best Friend’s ultimate moment will live on in infamy.