Super Aguri `may miss Spain race`

p class=”first”>Super Aguri remain unsure if they will race in this weekend`s Spanish Grand Prix, despite sending the full team to Barcelona, BBC Sport understands.

Team principal Aguri Suzuki will meet his staff in Spain on Thursday but it is understood a definitive decision on whether to race has not yet been made.

The future of the Japanese team is in doubt after potential investors pulled out of a takeover last week.

The cash-strapped team are continuing to look for new investment.

Britain`s Magma Group had been expected to complete a buy-out of Aguri`s team at the end of March, with the financial backing of Dubai International Capital (DIC).

But DIC, who are interested in buying Liverpool Football Club, are believed to have had second thoughts.

Despite financial uncertainty, the team are determined to carry on racing for as long as possible and are expected to assemble in Barcelona.

606: DEBATE The `team` being there and racing are two very distinct things Autounion

The set-up truck left on Friday, with the cars and spares transported at the weekend; the rest of the team are set to leave for the Circuit de Catalunya on Wednesday.

However, the team are operating on a day-by-day basis and drivers Takuma Sato and Briton Anthony Davidson must wait to find out if they will race on Sunday.

The Oxfordshire-based team competed in the opening three grands prix after securing last-minute backing through the automotive industry consultancy and innovation group Magma.

Super Aguri, who are bottom of the constructor standings, have been using Honda engines and have also been supported by the Japanese manufacturers.

However, under new regulations that come into force in 2010, teams will no longer be able to make custom cars for other outfits.

Honda are also determined to focus on their own development programme next season and insist they will not bail out Super Aguri.

The team said in a statement last week: “We intend to continue the present structure of our support for Super Aguri.”

23.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Super Aguri    ▪ news.bbc.co.uk