Honda to pressure Aguri to keep Davidson

Honda F1 chief executive Nick Fry told Reuters on Tuesday that the car maker intended to continue supporting Aguri in 2008 but in return expected them to employ drivers who would give useful feedback.

Aguri have made no secret of the fact that they are looking for investors after a difficult 2007 season, raising speculation Davidson could be replaced by a less-qualified driver bringing money to the team.

Well-informed sources told Reuters a group of Indian investors keen on bringing Narain Karthikeyan back to Formula One were among those talking to Aguri.

"We were instrumental in requiring Super Aguri to have drivers of an appropriate standard," Fry said at the launch of Honda's new F1 car.

"To ensure that the engineering feedback is consistent, you have got to have people who are of a standard. Anthony is definitely one of the people who is of that standard.

"I would not personally be convinced that the driver you mentioned (Karthikeyan) would be of an acceptable standard for us," added Fry.

Super Aguri were founded by former racer Aguri Suzuki at the end of 2005 after Honda dropped Takuma Sato as their race driver, triggering an outcry in Japan.

Last season the team used what was effectively Honda's 2006 car and scored four points with it, embarrassing the works team by leading them in the constructors' standings until the last two races.

Although Sato and Davidson have been named in a list published by the governing FIA, the line-up remains unconfirmed with Sato yet to put pen to paper on a new contract while the future remains uncertain.

Aguri managing director Daniel Audetto confirmed they were looking for someone to invest in the team rather than take control of it.

"We are talking with different people but first Honda has to approve it," he told Reuters.

"At the moment we would like to stay with the same drivers. Takuma is the reason why this team exists and Davidson is Honda's preferred driver," he added.

"But we are also looking for a strong partner. If they bring a lot of money and they want a driver from wherever, then he has to be good and accepted by the FIA."

Fry said having to support a second team was a distraction but Honda remained committed to the project.

"The intent for 2008 is that Aguri will be on the grid but clearly what (new team boss) Ross (Brawn) and I need to do, and are doing, is ensure that doesn't detract from our primary job," he said.

"At this stage, the intent is that they will be on the grid with Honda engines and support. Exactly how much of that support comes from here is being worked on at the moment."