It was a nice idea that Aguri Suzuki had, to start a new F1 team from scratch. Unfortunately, his dreams didn't last long, resulting in the grassroots team closing up shop and its assets put up for auction. Those assets were bought up by Formtech GmbH, a German tooling and construction company.
Formtech intends to use the team's former Leafield, England, headquarters as its new base for UK operations, where it will use Super Aguri's autoclaves and other equipment to design and manufacture composite materials. Formtech also intends to employ some of Aguri's now-unemployed technicians. But what of the actual race cars and fleet of transporters? Formtech bought those too, and is looking for another buyer. So if you're interested in a new Formula One car and a big truck in which to haul it around, better give them a ring.
In the fast-paced world of Formula One, teams come and go. Only most of the time, they're just changing names and management (in fact, Ferrari and Williams are the only teams still on the grid that were founded under the same name and same ownership as they remain today). So Jordan Grand Prix, for a most vivid example, became Midland F1 Racing in 2006, then Spyker in 2007 before its metamorphosis into Force India for 2008. Super Aguri was another story. Founded by former racing driver Aguri Suzuki, the team was the first in years to actually put up the bond necessary to start a completely new entry. Unfortunately, the uniquely Japanese-named team never had the money it needed to succeed, and after a little over two years, the team folded. But not before millions upon millions were spent on cars, equipment and everything else.
So what happened to all that stuff? Well, after Super Aguri went into bankruptcy administration earlier this year, the team's remaining assets are to be liquidated by British auction house SHM Smith Hodgkinson at the end of this month. Among the assets up on the block will be a dozen F1 racing cars, a fleet of transporter trucks and four autoclaves. So if you're looking to buy yourself the remains of an F1 team, this could be your chance.
