Official Press Release for Turkey:

2006 TURKISH GRAND PRIX – PREVIEW

Following the encouraging debut of the team’s new car, the SA06, in Germany, and an impressive drive by Takuma Sato at the eventful Hungarian Grand Prix, the SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM is firmly focused on achieving its main objectives of increased reliability and a two-car race finish when it arrives in Istanbul for the 2006 Turkish Grand Prix
this week.

The team has been spending the summer break working hard to ensure that its third SA06 chassis will be ready for the forthcoming race along with the car’s new aerodynamics package. SAF1 Team will therefore be welcoming Franck Montagny back into the driving seat of car No.43 to fulfill his role as Third Driver for the Friday free practice
sessions.

Takuma Sato
“I stayed in Europe for the summer break – chilling and enjoying spending time with my family. I am extremely excited about the Turkish Grand Prix because we will have a further aero update for the SA06 to complete our new car package. We have not been able to test the car during the break so we shall have to see how it performs when we reach Turkey this week. Istanbul Park is one of the most interesting circuits on the F1 calendar because it has a unique layout with long, high-speed corners, a challenging technical section and an undulating track which provides good overtaking opportunities. The new car package should improve our performance through the medium to high-speed corners which require efficient aero dynamics, so I am very much looking forward to the challenge of the Turkish Grand Prix.”

Sakon Yamamoto
“During the break I returned to Japan and relaxed with my family and friends. I am excited by the prospect of driving the SA06 with the new aero package. When the rear suspension and gearbox package was introduced in Germany I could really feel the difference. I am confident that the further new additions will also be a big improvement. It is the first time that I will visit Turkey and I will prepare for the race carefully. I look forward to meeting Turkish F1 fans and experiencing the culture.”

Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal
“I was back in Japan during this summer break getting involved with the long-running ARTA Junior Kart Summer School of which I am the founder. The time has passed very quickly and I very much enjoyed getting involved with the children and actually participating in a few fun races. Now my focus is back on F1 and with the new complete version of the SA06 ready, I am looking forward to the Turkish Grand Prix. Istanbul Park is a tough circuit, but we have waited a long time for this moment and I believe that the car will perform well."

Comment from Mark Talbot:

Obviously it is great news to have a third SA06 car running Fridays. This shows another big step for the team ... being able to field the third car means that we have the opportunity to do three different test schedules at Turkey. After Hungary, no doubt they will be looking at tyres very closely but I would also be expecting them to be running different suspension settings - vital with a new design and a new aero package.

With all three cars on a similar, if not identical, package we will also get a feel for the relative speeds of the drivers. Something that we all know is that there is strong competition between these guys. Each of them wants to show the other that they can do the job best. So, if the fuel loads allow, we should get an idea of the standings.

Reliability is every bit as important as raw speed and I trust that the whole team will be double-checking their work, but I would just like to give another big pat on the back to the men with the tools. The work they are doing in their first year as a team is outstanding, and I hope they have a great weekend.

Turkey is one of the new tracks, but even in it's first year it proved to have character - catching a few drivers out. No sleeping at this venue. Watch turn 8 ... I think getting that turn right will decide the starting grid on Sunday.

Chance of rain?  No, not this weekend - bright and sunny at about 30 degrees C.

Enjoy the race!