Super Aguri SA05

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Super Aguri SA05
Category Formula One
Constructor Super Aguri
Designer(s) Mark Preston, Mike Coughlan
Technical Specifications
Chassis Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Wishbones, pushrod-operated torsion bars and dampers. Mechanical anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear) Wishbones, pushrod-operated torsion bars and dampers. Mechanical anti-roll bar
Engine Honda RA806-E V8 naturally aspirated
Transmission Arrows 7-speed hydraulic, longitudinal
Fuel Elf
Tyres Bridgestone
Competition History
Notable entrants Super Aguri F1 Team
Notable drivers 22. Takuma Sato
23. Yuji Ide & Franck Montagny
Debut 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix
 Races   Wins    Poles     FLs   
11 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0

The Super Aguri SA05 was the car with which the Super Aguri team competed in the first half of the 2006 Formula One season. It originally was developed from the Arrows A23 designed in 2002 by Mike Coughlan.

The decision to use the A23 as the base chassis for the team's debut car was in part because the team was disallowed from using Honda's 2005 F1 car.[1]

From the A23, the car used a new monocoque, new aerodynamic package and rear end engine parts.[2]

The SA05 was driven by Takuma Sato, whose firing by the works Honda team had played a significant role in creating the team, and also was driven by inexperienced Japanese rookie Yuji Ide and long-term Renault test driver Franck Montagny.

The team was created at short notice, partly due to Honda's unwillingness to leave the popular Sato without an F1 drive. The team, led by former F1 driver Aguri Suzuki, was funded by Honda and used Honda engines. The chassis, however, was based on the Arrows A23 from 2002, which the team purchased from Paul Stoddart [1] (who had in turn bought these cars after the Arrows team collapsed and intended to use them for developing a new Minardi)[3]. The gearbox was also from the Arrows.

The year was one of exploration and learning for the team. Although the car was slowest, it was not by a big margin, and Sato impressed by racing with faster cars. Ide, however, was out of his depth, and his Super Licence was taken away[4] in part after a spectacular collision with Christijan Albers' Midland at the 2006 San Marino Grand Prix[5][6]. He was subsequently replaced by Montagny, who was much closer to Sato's pace.

The team's increase in personnel and support from Honda allowed them to prepare the SA06, which was used from the German GP onwards. At this stage of the season, the team were unclassified in the Constructors' Championship, with no points.

Takuma Sato at the 2006 United States Grand Prix.

Franck Montagny at the 2006 French Grand Prix.


[edit] Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Points WCC
2006 Super Aguri Honda V8 B BHR MAL AUS SMR EUR ESP MON GBR CAN USA FRA GER HUN TUR ITA CHN JPN BRA 0 NC
Takuma Sato 18 14 12 Ret Ret 17 Ret 17 15 Ret Ret
Yuji Ide Ret Ret 13 Ret
Franck Montagny Ret Ret 16 18 Ret Ret 16

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b 2006 car won't be ready - Super Aguri. F1Racing.net, now GPUpdate.net (2005-12-22). Retrieved on 2007-06-30.
  2. ^ New Aguri planned for French GP. F1Racing.net, now GPUpdate.net (2006-04-24). Retrieved on 2007-06-30.
  3. ^ Minardi confirm back-to-back Arrows test. F1Racing.net, now GPUpdate.net (2003-07-23). Retrieved on 2007-06-30.
  4. ^ "Ide loses super license", motorsport.com, 2006-05-10. Retrieved on 2007-05-13. 
  5. ^ "Rookie Ide axed for European GP", news.bbc.co.uk, 2006-05-04. Retrieved on 2007-05-13. 
  6. ^ "San Marino 2006: Schumacher's Imola role reversal", Autocourse, 2006-04-23. Retrieved on 2007-05-19. 


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Flag of Japan Super Aguri F1
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Cars that competed in the 2006 Formula One season