Jordan trusts Super Aguri will be ready

Former team boss Eddie Jordan is optimistic that Super Aguri will make it onto the grid for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix - even though the team have only just been given the green light by the FIA

Although there are only six weeks to go until the start of the season, and Aguri have not yet even begun testing, Jordan believes the fact they have an engine supply deal with Honda and are using modified old Arrows cars will be key to them making the cut.

"It's going to be very hard for Super Aguri to get everything done in time, no question, but they do have a number of key factors going in their favour," said Jordan in this week's Autosport.

"The main thing, of course, is that they have the support of an engine supplier and a very good one at that. I really can't overstate how important that is when you are trying to get a team off the ground.

"The other thing is that they have a car to start with. Okay, it's not brand new, but the old Arrows wasn't too bad a few years back and they're not having to create the sheets from carbon-fibre."

Aguri are hoping to conduct a shakedown of their modified Arrows cars on February 14 before they begin testing properly the following week.

The team's managing director Daniele Audetto has revealed that they have financial guarantees for the next three years - although they are under no illusions that F1 will be easy for them.

"It took Ferrari 21 years to win a World Championship before 2000, so we have to be realistic," he said. "We do not expect to win a race within three years.

"But we are not losers and the regulation changes to make racing cheaper in 2008 could be a great benefit for us. If we are good, we will not need so much financial support."