confidential

any news about toro rosso
are they still for sale?

confidential

Aguri needs Honda help to make Spain news from itv.com

Super Aguri co-owner Fumio Akita concedes the Magma Group’s decision to pull out of its takeover of the team means it may now have to bank on extra support from Honda to make the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Leafield-based squad’s immediate future was thrown into fresh doubt earlier this week when its prospective new owners backed out of its expected buyout after informing the team its investors no longer wished to fund the deal.

Its decision has forced current team boss Aguri Suzuki to chase other possible rescue deals, with Honda, which has provided engines and technical support since the squad’s creation in 2006, one possible avenue for help.

Akita admits with the team already struggling for finances and spare parts, it may not be in a position to make next weekend’s race and beyond unless Honda helps it out.

"It's possible," he told Reuters.

"We were banking on Magma's buyout but they turned it down. It feels like being jilted by a lover.

"Even if we have the money to go to Spain we might not be able to carry on after that.

“It's impossible to predict what will happen but it could now depend on Honda."

In its announcement on Wednesday that the Magma deal had collapsed, Super Aguri said that it would be making a further announcement on its future in due course.

Akita reckons there will be no solution for the team’s troubles until early next week, and it will be touch-and-go on whether it will be able to fly out to Spain

"I don't think there will be a decision until after the weekend," said Akita.

"It is likely to be Monday or Tuesday until we hear.

“It will be very, very tight."

Super Aguri only made the season-opener in Australia at the last minute following the Magma Group's initial takeover plans.

But it was already forced to skip this week's Barcelona test as the deal hadn't yet been sealed.