FIA waits for Super Aguri's deposit

The outfit have now resubmitted their application to enter next year's Championship, which included approval from all of their rivals to support the late entry, and now the only hurdle to be overcome is the bond guarantee.

The failure to pay the $48 million bond, which all new teams must lodge with the FIA, was the reason why the original team's entry was rejected late last year.

The FIA have been assured, however, that the deposit will be lodged early next week - which will then allow it to confirm that there will be 11 teams on the grid next year.

An FIA spokesman told autosport.com: "The FIA has received official notification that all the competing teams have approved the late entry of Super Aguri to the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.

"We have also been informed that the required financial guarantee will be presented to the FIA early next week. A formal announcement of the new team's entry will be made on receipt of the guarantee."

The FIA's imminent approval of Super Aguri's entry comes amid suggestions that the outfit will likely commit their long-term future to F1, rather than a manufacturers' breakaway championship.

This view is supported by the fact that the team needed the assistance of Formula One commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone in securing the support of all of their rival teams - something that he would unlikely do unless Aguri had made it clear they wanted to remain in F1 for the long term.

Any move by Aguri to commit to F1 has been viewed by some paddock insiders as significant because the team are backed by Honda, who are still publicly involved in the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association breakaway plans.