New Super Aguri passes crash tests

The Honda-backed team have faced an uncertain few weeks, with financial difficulties curtailing their pre-season efforts and forcing them to miss two test sessions.

Despite their absence from the tracks, however, the team have been working hard on continuing their preparations at their Leafield factory - as talks with potential investors continue.

The work on the car has resulted in the FIA giving the new SA08 car its official sign-off yesterday after passing all its crash tests.

Super Aguri have lodged Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson as their drivers on the official 2008 entry list, but neither driver has a firm contract just yet.

The team are hoping that talks with investors will be concluded soon, allowing them to firm up their drivers and head into the new season without major financial worries.

Sato said earlier this week that he thought the team could enjoy a step forward in performance this year.

"We're expecting a tough fight at the beginning of the season, but we're still motivated," said Sato. "It's obviously very frustrating but the staff, the engineers and mechanics are all working hard.

"Because of the financial situation, last year we had to stop our development in the middle of the season, but this time I believe that, after a tough start, we can get to a point where we'll be more competitive than we were in either of the last two years."