Midland blocking Super Aguri's entry?

14/12/2005

In recent days there have been reports that Super Aguri's possible entry in the 2006 Formula One World Championship is being blocked by existing teams, and in particular Midland F1 Racing .

As previously reported, although much has been made of the Japanese outfit's failure to come up with the necessary financial bond ($48m), an FIA spokesperson has previously told Pitpass that should the team - indeed any prospective team - be able to prove that is has the necessary funding, together with a sustainable business plan, the bond could be waived.

However, it's understood that Midland F1 Racing is opposing Super Aguri's entry, fearing that should the new team prove to be more successful, this could have a drastic impact on the money paid by Formula One Management in respect of TV rights, and various other 'benefits'.

Talking to reporters at McLaren's Woking HQ today, chief executive, Martin Whitmarsh, said that though Super Aguri has the support of numerous rival teams, he believes MF1 is opposing the entry.

"We have written to Super Aguri saying that we will not oppose their entry," Whitmarsh revealed. "We haven't done it for Super Aguri, we have done it because Honda requested it. And I made it very clear to Honda that is the only reason.

"My understanding is that at least Midland have dug in," he added. "If you are a turkey, you don't vote for Christmas and they haven't agreed."

Whitmarsh's comment that "at least" Midland is 'digging in', suggests that other teams could be opposing the Japanese team's entry. However, it's well documented that both Bernie Ecclestone and FIA President, Max Mosley, want to see more teams in F1, especially if they are likely to sign up to the 'new' Concorde Agreement that runs from 2008.

However, other than Midland's alleged objections, there is also the matter of what chassis Super Aguri would use, should it gain entry, and with the start of the new season less than three months away, the clock is definitely ticking.