Nissan's GT line up gives clues on Aguri's

The absence of Yuji Ide from the line-up, after two seasons racing in the sportscar category, and the confirmation of Sakon Yamamoto all but indicates the long expected news about which Japanese racer has won the fight to join Sato on the grid.

The battle for the second drive at Super Aguri was between Ide and Yamamoto, but autosport.com first reported last year that Ide had signed a preliminary contract with the new team. This was believed to have been clinched on the back of a major sponsorship deal he is understood to have with Japanese bluetooth company Mobilecast.

Aguri have not yet made any announcements about their drivers line-up, even though the team are expected to conduct the first shakedown of their SA05 car next week prior to testing in Barcelona.

Sato's manager Andrew Gilbert-Scott said earlier this week that he expected a deal to be completed for his driver soon.

"I'd be absolutely amazed if it doesn't happen," he said. "Things are moving forward, maybe not necessarily as fast as we would like, but something could be possible this week and Taku's intending to be over for a seat-fitting soon."