About the SAF1 2008 Team

Written by SAF1

Monday, 17 March 2008

About the 2008 Super Aguri Formula 1 team Aguri Suzuki, one of Japan’s most successful Formula One drivers, has been helping to promote young Japanese driving talents through the Autobacs Racing Team Aguri Project (ARTA) since 1997. Suzuki re-entered Formula One as Team Principal of the SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM in 2006 with race drivers Takuma Sato, Yuji Ide, Franck Montagny (France) and Sakon Yamamoto. The team’s best result in its inaugural year was at the season finale in Sao Paulo when Takuma achieved 10th position and Sakon set the seventh fastest lap time of the race. 2007 saw the team take a giant step forward in performance and competitiveness. Takuma was partnered by British Honda driver Anthony Davidson and the team completed the season in 9th place in the FIA Formula One™ Constructors’ Championship with four Championship points. For 2008 SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM is delighted to maintain its momentum, ‘Fighting Spirit’ and continuity with both Takuma and Anthony racing for the team once again. SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM is based at the Leafield Technical Centre in Oxfordshire, UK and works in close collaboration with Honda, Japan and Bridgestone Potenza. MESSAGE FROM AGURI SUZUKI “In 2006, the first season of SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM, we targeted just finishing each race. In the second season, our aim was to achieve Championship points and finish the season in the top ten through competitive racing. As we expected to have a greater chance in the early stage of the 2007 season, achieving points at the Spanish Grand Prix was brilliant for our team. I felt very proud of my drivers and all the team staff for their work. Congratulations from fans from all over the world thrilled me. Of course, the Canadian Grand Prix was memorable as well! Finishing in sixth place after taking the fight to the top teams was a fantastic result for us. Overall, I am satisfied with 2007 as our second season. In 2008 we will continue to buckle down together to try our best for our third season. I know it is still not easy for a small team like us to be amongst the top teams, but I will not give up on the challenge. We will work in ‘top gear’ for our team’s improvement. Finally, I would like to say that we at SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported and encouraged us since the team’s creation.” TEAM PROFILES AGURI SUZUKI - TEAM PRINCIPAL As a competition driver, Aguri Suzuki competed in several Championships in Japan before entering the world of Formula One in 1989. In 1990 he finished 3rd at the Japanese Grand Prix, becoming the first Japanese driver to stand on the F1 podium. After Formula One, Aguri went back to Japan and founded the ARTA (Autobacs Racing Team Aguri) Project in 1997, managing the racing team and driver development programs, which he continues to do today. In 2003 he established Super Aguri Fernandez Racing in the IRL IndyCar Series and in 2007 became co-owner of Super Aguri Panther Racing in the US. Aguri Suzuki commenced his challenge for the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2006 after announcing the participation of the SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM in Tokyo in November 2005. Profile Nationality: Japanese Date of birth: 8 September 1960 Place of residence: Tokyo, Japan Marital status: Married Career 2006 - present Formula One: Team Principal, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. ARTA Project Producer (Japan). 2007 IRL Indycar Series: SUPER AGURI PANTHER RACING Co-owner. 2004 - 2006 IRL IndyCar Series: Super Aguri Fernandez Racing, winners IRL IndyCar Series (2004). Bombardier Rookie of the Year honors for driver Kosuke Matsuura (2004). 2003 Super Aguri Fernandez Racing enters the IRL IndyCar Series. 2002 IRL IndyCar Series: Formed Super Aguri Fernandez Racing team with Adrian Fernadez. 1997 Formed Autobacs Racing Team Aguri Project (ARTA) in Japan. 1996 - 1998 Raced sports cars in the All-Japan GT Championship and at Le Mans (third, 1998). 1990 Formula One: First Japanese driver to stand on a Formula One podium, finishing third in the Japanese Grand Prix, Larrousse team. 1989 - 1995 Formula One: Driver for the Zakspeed, Larrousse, Footwork and Ligier teams. 1988 Formula One: Debut in the Japanese Grand Prix for the Larrousse team, finishing 16th. Won Japanese Formula 3000 Championship (three wins). 1987 Finished second in the Japanese Formula 3000 Championship. 1986 Won Japanese Touring Car Championship. 1983 Finished second in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship. 1979 Made debut in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship. 1978, 1981 Won Japanese Kart Championship. 1972 Started driving in karts. TAKUMA SATO – RACE DRIVER CAR 18 Profile Nationality: Japanese Date of birth: 28 January 1977 Place of birth: Tokyo, Japan Place of residence: Monaco Height: 164cm Weight: 59kg Hobbies: Cycling, food Marital status: Married Career Grand Prix Debut: Jordan Grand Prix team, Japanese Grand Prix (2002) Grand Prix Points: 44 Grand Prix Starts: 87 Podium Finishes: Third, US Grand Prix (2004) Best F1 Championship Rankings: 8th (2004) 2008 SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM - Race Driver, Car 18. 2006-2007 SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM - Race Driver, Car 22. 2005 Lucky Strike B?A?R Honda - Race Driver, Car 4. 2004 Lucky Strike B?A?R Honda - Race Driver, Car 10. Best race result - Third, US Grand Prix. 8th in the Drivers’ Championship with 34 points. 2003 Lucky Strike B?A?R Honda - Test Driver. Drafted in to compete at the final race of the season in Japan where he finished in 6th position. 18th in the Drivers’ Championship with 3 points. 2002 Formula One: Jordan Grand Prix - 15th in Drivers’ Championship with 2 points. 2001 British Formula 3: Carlin Motorsport - Champion with 12 wins. Victories in the Marlboro Masters of F3 at Zandvoort, the F3 International Challenge race supporting the British Grand Prix and the Macau Grand Prix Test driver for Lucky Strike British American Racing Honda. 2000 British Formula 3 Championship with Carlin Motorsport - 3rd in Championship. Victorious at 4 championship races and winner of the Spa round of The French F3 Championship. 1999 EDFA Formula Opel Euroseries with Diamond Racing. Competed in selected rounds, winning the opening race of the season at Donington - 6th place in Championship. Won the Formula Asia 2000 race supporting the F3 Grand Prix at Macau with Team Meritus. Moved to British F3 championship in Class B mid-season with Diamond Racing. 1998 European Car racing debut at Snetterton. Formula Vauxhall championship graduating to Formula Opel at the End of the year, both with Diamond Racing. 1997 Karting champion, 100cc Kanto region. Changed from cyclist to racing driver. Joined the Honda Suzuka Racing School (SRSF), winning a scholarship and moving to England to race. ANTHONY DAVIDSON – RACE DRIVER CAR 19 Profile Nationality: British Date of birth: 18 April 1979 Place of birth: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England Place of Residence: Northamptonshire, England Height: 165cm Weight: 56kg Hobbies: Mountain biking, running, music, and gadgets. Marital status: Married Career Grand Prix Debut: Minardi F1 Team, Hungarian Grand Prix (2002) Grand Prix Points: 0 Grand Prix Starts: 20 Best Race Position: 11th at Spanish, Canadian and US Grands Prix (2007) 2008 SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM - Race Driver, Car 19. 2007 SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM - Race Driver, Car 23. 2006 Honda Racing F1 Team - Third Driver. 2005 B·A·R Honda - Third Driver. One race start - replaced Takuma Sato at Malaysian Grand Prix. 2004 B·A·R Honda - Third Driver. 2003 B·A·R Honda - Test Driver. Also competed in three non-Formula One races: 12 hours of Sebring (2nd), Le Mans 24 hours (DNF) and Petit Le Mans (2nd) - for the Veloqx Prodrive Ferrari GT team. 2002 B·A·R Honda - Test Driver. Competed in two rounds of the 2002 FIA Formula One World Championship (Hungary & Belgium) for Minardi F1 Team. 2001 Formula One: B·A·R Honda - Test Driver. British F3 Championship: Runner-up. FIA European Cup F3: Champion. F3 Pau GP: Winner. F3 Spa Masters: Winner. 2000 Formula Ford Zetec British Championship: Third. Formula Ford Festival World Cup: Winner. McLaren/Autosport Young Driver of the Year. 1999 BRSCC Formula Ford Zetec Winter Series Championship: Champion. Italian Karting Open Championship: Runner-up. 1998 WKA/FMK/FIA North American Karting Championship: 3rd. 1997 CIK/FIA Oceania Karting Championship: Champion. 1996 CIK/FIA European Karting Championship: Runner-up. 1995 RAC MSA Junior British Karting Champion. 1994 RAC MSA Junior British Karting Champion. DANIEL AUDETTO - MANAGING DIRECTOR Profile Date of Birth: 4.05.43 Place of Birth: Turin, Italy Resides in: Kiddington, UK Marital Status: Married Citizenship: Italian Career 2006 – present Managing Director, SUPER AGURI F1 Limited. 2004 – 2005 Vice President and Commercial Director, MEL/ MCT (Menard Group), UK. 2003 – 2004 Engine Department Co-ordinator and Business Development Director, Renault F1. 1996 – 2003 Vice President and Commercial Director, TWR - attracting major manufacturers (GM, VW Audi, Renault, Nissan, Lamborghini, Ducati) to receive cutting edge engineering solutions. Developed Ligier and Arrows in F1; Volvo in BTCC; Nissan in Le Mans and IRL; Cheever-Red Bull Racing in IRL – USA Championships, as TWR Racing Director. 1995 – 1996 General Manager, SBK Superbike World Championship. 1987 – 1995 General Manager, Lamborghini Engineering, Chrysler Group, engine suppliers to F1 Teams including Lotus, Ligier, Larrousse and Minardi. 1986-1987 Director of Public Relations and Sport Activities, Automobili Lamborghini, engine suppliers to Off-Shore and Sports-Car World Championship Teams. 1982-1986 General Manager, Abarth-Filmgo Racing who co-operated with F1 and powerboat Teams; Alfa Romeo for Rallies and Azzurra in the America’s Cup Challenge. 1977 – 1982 Director of Motor Sport Activities, FIAT and Lancia Rally Teams. 1976 – 1977 Team Manager, Ferrari Formula One Team. 1972 – 1975 Team Manager, Lancia Rally Team and Sport-Car Endurance Teams. 1971 – 1972 Assistant Team Manager, Lancia Rally Team. 1968 – 1971 Works team co-driver of Luca di Montezemolo and Sandro Munari, Lancia Rally Team. MARK PRESTON - TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Profile Date of birth: 7/11/68 Place of birth: Geelong, Australia Resides in: Oxford, UK Marital status: Partner Citizenship: Australian/British Career 2007 – present Technical Director, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2006 Chief Technical Officer, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2005 – 2006 Oxford University, Said Business School – MBA. 2004 – 2005 Director, Preston Racing. 2002 – 2004 Principal Designer - Structures, McLaren F1 Team. 1996 – 2002 Stress Analysis Engineer; Senior Vehicle Performance Analyst; Head of R&D and Test Team – Arrows F1 Team. 1995 – 1996 Co-Team Owner, Spectrum Formula Ford, Australia; driver Jason Bargwanna 2nd in Championship. 1995 – 1996 Project Engineer, Holden Special Vehicles, Australia; Project work for Holden. 1993 – 1995 Project Engineer at General Motors Holden, Australia; crash analysis and testing. 1992 – 1993 Designer at Tieman Industries (dangerous goods tankers). 1987 – 1991 Mechanical Engineering Degree, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia whilst holding a part-time R&D position at Borland Racing Developments (1990-1995). GRAHAM TAYLOR – SPORTING DIRECTOR Profile Date of birth: 31.08.65 Place of Birth: Gloucester, UK Marital status: Married Citizenship: British Career 2007 – present Sporting Director, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2006 Chief Race Engineer, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2005 Race Engineer, Audi North America, Florida, USA Championship win with 4 race wins. Third place at Le Mans 24hrs. Also Race Engineer, Seat Sport SA in the WTCC. 2004 Race Engineer, Audi UK Brackley, UK. Three 1000km victories (working with Allan McNish). 2003 Team Manager, American Spirit Team Johannsson, Indianapolis, USA. 2000 – 2002 Race Engineer, Arrows F1 Team promoted to Chief Race Engineer Arrows F1 Team (2001). 1997 – 2000 Senior Race Engineer, Volvo Touring Car Programme, TWR Group, UK (1998) Championship win – Rickard Rydell. 1995 - 1997 Race Engineer, Super Touring Car Programme, Audi Sport UK. 1990 - 1995 Team Manager/Senior Engineer, Paul Stewart Racing (UK). (1995) Championship win - Jonny Kane. (1994) Championship win - Owen McAuley. (1993) Championship win - Dario Franchitti. 1988 -1989 Engineer, Dragon Motorsport Limited, UK. F3 car (1989), Formula Vauxhall (1988); Championship win – Mika Hakkinen (1988). 1984 - 1988 Research & Development Engineer, G.C.H.Q., Benhall, Cheltenham, UK. PETER MCCOOL - CHIEF DESIGNER Profile Date of birth: 16/11/66 Place of birth: Worcester, England Resides in: Oxford, England Marital status: Married Citizenship: British Career 2006 – present Chief Designer, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2003 – 2005 Freelance Senior Designer, major client being McLaren Racing, UK. 2002 – 2003 Technical Director, Apollo Racing - composite race car design and manufacturing. 1995 – 2001 Freelance Designer, major client being Reynard, UK. 1991 – 1994 Aerodynamic Designer, McLaren International, UK. 1988 – 1991 Graduate Engineer, British Aerospace, Kingston, UK. 1984 – 1988 Degree achieved in Aeronautical Engineering. BEN WOOD – HEAD OF AERODYNAMICS Profile Date of birth: 30/09/70 Resides in: Oxford, UK Marital status: Married Citizenship: British/Swiss Career 2005 – present Head of Aerodynamics, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2000 – 2005 Consultant, Aerodynamics Dynamique Ltd. 1999 – 2000 Senior Aerodynamicist, Jaguar Grand Prix. 1997 – 1999 Head of Aerodynamics, Prost Grand Prix. 1997 - Aerodynamicist, Tyrrell Racing Organisation. 1996 – 1997 Contract Project Aerodynamic Engineer, Ferrari Grand Prix, Maranello. 1996 - Contract Aerodynamicist, Activa Technologies/Yamaha UK. 1993 – 1996 Aerodynamicist, Minardi Grand Prix. 1992 – 1993 Junior Aerodynamicist, Astauto Ltd /Fondmetal Formula One. 1991 Student Research Project, Jordan Grand Prix. GÉRRY HUGHES - CHIEF RACE ENGINEER Profile Date of birth: 25.02.69 Place of Birth: West Midlands, UK Resides in: Oxfordshire, UK Marital status: Married Citizenship: British Career 2006 - present Chief Race Engineer, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM (2008) Head of R&D & Chief Race Engineer, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM (2007). Race Engineer, Car 22, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM (2006) 2005 Head of Race Engineering, Red Bull Racing Ltd. 2003 – 2005 Senior Race & Test Engineer, Jordan Grand Prix Ltd. 2000 – 2003 Race Engineer, Jaguar Racing Ltd. 1999 – 2000 Design/Race Engineer, Prodrive Ltd., UK. 1996 – 1999 Race Engineer/Senior Race Engineer, Williams Touring Car Engineering Ltd., UK. 1995 – 1996 Design/Race Engineer, Ray Mallock Ltd., UK. 1994 - Design Engineer, Lola Cars Ltd., UK. 1993 - Race Engineer, Minister International Racing Ltd., UK. 1990 – 1992 Chief Race Engineer, Tommy Jägerwall Racing AB. Linköping, Sweden. 1993 – 1995 MSc in Automotive Product Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Cranfield University, UK. 1987 – 1990 BTEC HND in Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Bristol Polytechnic, UK. MICK AINSLEY-COWLISHAW - TEAM MANAGER Profile Date of birth: 12.08.48 Place of Birth: Chesterfield, UK Resides: Oxfordshire, UK Marital status: Married Citizenship: British Career 2006 - present Team Manager, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2004 – 2005 Own business, Redec Property. 2003 - General Manager, VLR motorsport, UK. 2001 – 2002 Race Team Manager, Arrows F1 Team. 1980 – 2000 Benetton Formula One – Chief Mechanic (1990 – 2000); Number 1 mechanic (1980 – 1990). 1977 – 1980 Race Engineer Builder, Alan Smith Racing, UK. 1964 – 1977 Various positions in motorsport including Manager of BMW agency for Davian Beresford Motors (Formula Ford in British F.F Championship); Mechanic at Don Fletcher Motor Engineers (F3, Formula Ford, Jaguar and MG). RICHARD CONNELL - RACE ENGINEER CAR 18 Profile Date of birth: 12/01/79 Place of Birth: Swindon, UK Marital status: Single Citizenship: English Career 2007 – present Race Engineer - Car 22 (2007) and 18 (2008), SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2006 - Test Team & Friday Third Car Engineer, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2002 – 2005 Test Team & Calculation Engineer, Mitsubishi Ralliart, World Rally Championship. 2002 - Structural Engineer, Renault F1 Team. 2000 – 2002 Structural Engineer, Arrows Formula One Team. 2000 - BEng Automotive Engineering, Graduated Oxford Brookes University. RICHARD LANE – ENGINEER CAR 19 Profile Date of birth: 30/06/74 Place of Birth: Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK Marital status: Married Citizenship: English Career 2008 Race Engineer Car 19, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2006 - 2007 Performance Engineer Car 23, SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM. 2004 – 2005 Data Engineer, Champion Racing. American Le Mans Series and Le Mans 24 hours (win). 2003 - 2004 Freelace Data Engineer (A1 GP /Group C /IMSA GTP ). 2001 - 2002 Post-Doctoral Research fellow, Sheffield University (Composite Materials) and volunteer ‘grease monkey’ on Historic Race cars. 1996 - 2000 PhD, Sheffield University (Composite Materials). 1992 - 1996 BEng (hons) Materials Engineering, Sheffield University. 2008 CAR TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION Official Name: SA08A Chassis Construction Moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite construction incorporating front and side composite impact structures. Integral roll protection structures. Fully enclosed fuel cell. Bodywork construction Composite multi piece sidepod and engine cover, separate carbon floor section, structural composite nose box and composite wings. Front suspension Wishbones, pushrod operated torsion bars and dampers. Mechanical anti-roll bar. Rear suspension Wishbones, pushrod operated torsion bars and dampers. Mechanical anti-roll bar. Dampers Showa Wheels BBS Tyres Bridgestone Brakes Alcon Calipers Hitco material Steering Pneumatic power assisted Steering wheel Bespoke specification and composite construction Drivers seat Driver specific bespoke carbon composite Seat belts Takata Fuel cell ATL kelvar reinforced Battery 2.5 Ah lead acid Instrumentation Bespoke specification Transmission Carbon composite maincase. 7 speed semi automatic electro hydraulically controlled Clutch Sachs Front track 1450mm Rear track 1400mm Wheelbase 3165mm Overall length 4685mm Overall height 950mm Overall width 1800mm ENGINE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION Name Honda RA808E Displacement 2.4 litres Configuration V8, naturally aspirated Vee angle 90 degrees Maximum power Over 700 bhp Maximum revs 19,000 rpm Valve train 4 valves per cylinder; pneumatic valve system Throttle system Electronic hydraulically-operated system Injection system Honda PGM-FI Ignition system Honda PGM-IG Spark plugs NGK Oil ENEOS

Last Updated ( Monday, 17 March 2008 )