The Oxford Mail reports that Super Aguri has laid off around thirty employees, estimated to be a third of its total workforce, as it seeks to restructure and secure funding for 2008 and beyond.

"We are a small team and have said all year we will need more funding and what we are now doing is unfortunate," a spokesman told the paper.

"The trouble is we must act now," he added. "The new season starts in March so we need to get the restructuring going and, I hate to use the term.

Referring to the fact that the thirty employees were being dropped just weeks before Christmas, the spokesman added: "It is possibly the best time to make redundancies because other Formula One and motor racing teams will be looking to recruit at this time of year."

Understandably, one '27-year-old maintenance worker' was none too happy: "A lot of people are very upset they have done this just weeks before Christmas," they are quoted as saying.

Despite a fairly strong second season, giving Honda a serious run for it money whilst using the Brackley outfit's 2006 car, the team has been hit by a falling out with (sponsor) SS United and a (separate) legal action involving test driver Giedo Van der Garde.

The team will continue to run a Honda package in 2008, which will significantly reduce costs, however, if the team is to capitalise on the progress it made this season it will need a fresh injection of cash, not to mention staying well clear of the RA107, possibly the worst car on the 2007 grid.

The Leafield based outfit insists that it is working hard to ensure that any workers made redundant are assisted in their search for new employment, some of them thought to be heading to Honda, which, as Pitpass has previously reported is thought to be increasing its staffing levels by as much as 20 per cent.