Aguri talks to resume over the weekend

Team boss Aguri Suzuki has flown to Tokyo for discussions with potential investors and senior executives from Honda as he bids to shore up his outfit's financial situation.

Non-payment by major sponsor SS United last season left a big hole in the team's budget and their lack of finance has forced them to curtail their winter testing programme.

The current talks are believed to be key to Super Aguri's future because unless they can sort out their finances in the next 48 hours then they will be forced to skip next week's test at Barcelona in Spain.

Should they do that, then there will be serious doubts about whether or not they will be able to travel to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Sources have suggested that Honda chiefs have tabled a rescue package, which is believed to involve an investor taking over equity in the outfit. It is now up to Suzuki whether he accepts what is on offer or not.

Further meetings have been scheduled for tomorrow in Tokyo with Super Aguri team personnel being put on standby to send their cars to Barcelona should a deal be agreed.

Some of the team's trucks, carrying spare parts, are already at the Spanish venue - having headed there straight from Jerez last week.

One of the stumbling blocks to sorting out a deal is the difficulties faced in preparing Aguri for the longer term future, as they have to become a full-blown constructor within two years.

Such a task would require sizeable investment and an expansion of staff, something that Honda are believed to be reluctant to bankroll as they want to focus their efforts on moving their own Honda Racing team up the grid.