Williams, MF1 Racing approve Super Aguri

UPDATE Although the team's late entry faced obvious opposition as recently as last Friday, a deal has apparently been struck to allow 'Super Aguri' to race on the 2006 grid.

Even Midland's MF1 team, according to speculation, has fallen in line to clear the path for the Japanese outfit – run by Aguri Suzuki with significant Honda backing – to lodge the late $48m bond and take a spot in pitlane.

The news, yet to be confirmed or verified, means that an eleventh team – propping up a 22-car grid – will be seen for the first time since 2001.

Super Aguri, based at Arrows' old Leafield HQ in south central England, will almost certainly start the year with four year old Arrows 'A23' chassis, powered by a Honda V8 engine, before a new car is debuted around May.

Moreover, a significant number of the current 50 or 60 staff are former Arrows employees.

The detail of the ten existing teams' unanimity is not clear, but F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is thought to have got involved, particularly as 'Aguri' has indicated that it will sign his new Concorde.

12/16/05 In another AutoRacing1.com exclusive, we have learned through inside sources that the WilliamsF1 team has already signed, this past Wednesday, an official document approving the addition of the Super Aguri team to the F1 grid in 2006. We await the official announcement. Mark C.