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It’s not over until the fat lady sings - Narain might find himself a seat for 2008. [Update]

By: Karthik :+: Under: Formula 1, Motor Racing, Narain Karthikeyan, Sports
On: ⋅ January 29, 2008 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment
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[Update] The details have finally emerged, including numbers. It looks like the Spice group from India, that currently sponsors Team India in the A1 GP is the bidder.

The Indian publication Daily News and Analysis (DNA) reports that the Spice consortium proposes a buyout price of just $1, including underwriting the small Japanese team’s $47m in debt. Aguri Suzuki will reportedly be left in charge.

Although this is gong on, Spice group is treading carefully, and they are in talks with two teams? What the…

Spice CEO Andaleeb Sehgal on Wednesday would not confirm that the Super Aguri takeover is complete.

“There has been no acquisition yet,” he said. “We are talking to two teams at the moment. One of them is Super Aguri.”

“Now we are waiting to come up with a realistic valuation of the team. Should we find a number within our reach we will then proceed to buy,” Sehgal added.

[Original Post]
Talking to reporters, Max Mosley, aka. The Big Daddy of F1 suggested that Super Aguri, might not make it to the grid to start this year off. Financial concerns have forced the team to lay people off, sell a part of the team and they still can’t seem to get their finances right.

Super Aguri are the marque under threat, with rumours rife they may even struggle to make the curtain-raising Australian Grand Prix in seven weeks’ time.

In the meanwhile, rumors are afloat that Narain might find himself a seat, given his enormous financial backing.

It is understood Super Aguri are seeking additional financial backing, with suggestions that could come from India.

If that is the case, such sponsors may push for an Indian to drive the car alongside Takuma Sato - Narain Karthikeyan is a possibility - thus sidelining Davidson.

But all may not be good. Nick Fry, Honda F1’s boss says Narain might not be his choice.

We were instrumental in requiring Super Aguri to have drivers of an appropriate standard, and Anthony is definitely someone who is of that standard, I personally, and we collectively, demanded he be seriously considered as part of their team because he is a driver we could rely on.

I would not personally be convinced the person mentioned (Karthikeyan) would be of an acceptable standard for us.

Stranger things have happened, like Super Aguri scoring more points than Honda F1 last year, so hang on tight, there still is a chance that out boy will make it to the grid.

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