Super Aguri denied access to Turkish Grand Prix circuit

Published on Monday 5 May 2008 23:39

STRUGGLERS Super Aguri have been denied access to the Turkish Grand Prix circuit pending talks between founder Aguri Suzuki and backers Honda over the team's Formula One survival.

A team source said yesterday the trucks and motor home had been prevented from entering the Istanbul Park circuit ahead of this weekend's race.

"We will have to wait for a decision tomorrow," the source added, refusing to comment on a report that Honda F1 chief executive Nick Fry had told Formula One Management (FOM) that the team would not be racing in Turkey, the fifth round of the season. Super Aguri are fighting for their survival after the collapse of a takeover deal last month by the Dubai-backed Magma Group and Suzuki is hoping to see the Honda board in Tokyo today.

If that fails, Formula One will be left with ten teams for the first time since 2005. Japanese driver Takuma Sato said he was stunned when his manager told him the news: "I heard that FOM was told that we are not racing so they won't let the trucks in. But I don't understand why they have been told this when no decision has been made yet."

Sources have said Super Aguri owe Honda around $100million.