Aguri hopes both cars finish in Monaco

Super Aguri are still hoping that their SA106 will be ready in time for the French Grand Prix, having delayed their original plans to have it running by Imola, and it has left the team pegged towards the back of the grid until it comes on track.

It means that Suzuki's main focus in the short-term is on trying to ramp up his team's reliability - with Franck Montagny having retired from his first two races with the team at the Nurburgring and Barcelona.

Suzuki said: "Mechanical problems have hindered our progress and prevented Franck from finishing the last race in Barcelona.

"I had hoped that we would have a two-car finish in Spain, however if both Super Aguri F1 Team cars cross the line at the end of the Monaco Grand Prix I will be happy.

"We need to keep learning from the problems we experience and never give up on the challenges that we face. I am looking forward to returning to Monaco next week as it is one of my favorite races on the F1 calendar."

Takuma Sato will make his return to Monaco this year for the first time since 2004, with BAR banned from last year's event, while Montagny will be making his first appearance around the streets of Monte Carlo.

Montagny said: "It has been good to have a ten-day break after the Spanish Grand Prix. I have been able to relax, visit the factory to see the guys and prepare for the race next week.

"I am very pleased to be going to my first Monaco Grand Prix with the Super Aguri F1 team and I would like to thank Aguri for having the confidence in me to do it.

"It will be a hard race for sure, but I am very much looking forward to the most famous race of the season and I am very glad to be taking part."