SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM UNVEILS SA07 IN MELBOURNE
Following a successful winter testing programme for the SUPER
AGURI F1 TEAM, Team Principal Aguri Suzuki and race drivers
Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson unveiled the team’s
2007 challenger in the F1 Paddock at the Albert Park Circuit
in Melbourne, Australia today.
The SA07 is a continuation of the development process which
began in haste last year for the team’s first challenger,
the SA05. As the team is a mere 15 months old each iteration
of the car is a significant step forward. The SA07 is a result
of the past eight months collaboration between the SAF1 Team
Design Department lead by Chief Designer Peter McCool and
Honda’s R&D centre in Tochigi, Japan. The team’s
winter test program has allowed them to validate a number
of design concepts and to test the increased reliability of
the new power-train provided by Honda.
The new homologated Honda engine is a major step forward
in power and reliability for the SAF1 Team. It will increase
the team’s performance and provide a competitive engine
for this period of new rules and stability. A carbon gearbox
is now part of the package from Honda which will allow more
flexibility in weight distribution and increased integration,
bringing with it the added benefits of reliability.
One of the biggest challenges in the production of the SA07
most recently has been the FIA crash tests. Substantial changes
had to be made to the nosebox design and presented the team’s
aerodynamicists with a hard task when it came to the rear
central diffuser design. A great deal of time has been spent
researching ways into which the team could minimise the effect
that the rear impact structure had on rear downforce. The
combination of aerodynamic efficiency driven by the V8 formula
and the control Bridgestone Potenza tyres has resulted in
efficient rear downforce being a key focus for 2007.
Winter testing has provided the SAF1 Team with a significant
amount of data on the characteristics of the new Bridgestone
Potenza tyres and this will ensure that the team approaches
each race with more preparation than in 2006. With such a
good step forward for 2007, the team’s aim is to cement
its membership in the exclusive F1 competition and strive
to achieve its first points through more comprehensive preparation
for the season. Increased reliability combined with a good
understanding of the tyre and aerodynamic challenges of the
2007 rules will be the key strength of the SUPER AGURI F1
TEAM.
Aguri Suzuki, Team Principal
"The winter testing period has been very good for SUPER
AGURI F1 TEAM. We have been able to complete most of the things
that we had planned to do, including the evaluation of the
reliability of new parts for the SA07. There are many things
that we were not able to do due to time and resources, but
all things considered I am very happy with the car that we
have here in Melbourne.
“Takuma has been with us a whole season and now understands
the SAF1 Team philosophy, style and people. I believe that
with our new car he is going to achieve much more this year.
Anthony has been with HRF1 Team as a test driver for five
years and brings with him a wealth of experience. Although
he has only three F1 race starts under his belt, with his
knowledge and experience to technically evaluate the car,
I believe that he will perform well.
“Around this time last year we were still struggling
to get two cars onto the grid. It was our first year and everything
was a new experience for the team. This year we have been
able to prepare for the season and everybody is raring to
go. I am very much looking forward to seeing Takuma and Anthony
working together again and performing their best for SAF1
Team. We will be aiming for points from the opening race and
my goal for the end of the season, which I think is a realistic
one, is to have our cars in the middle of the grid. I also
hope that all our fans cheer for us from the start!"
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