Super Aguri commit to F1 beyond 2007

As autosport.com predicted last December, the new Japanese-backed team have rejected any consideration to join the breakaway Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association (GPMA) and instead have agreed to stick with Ecclestone.

A high-level source close to the sport's governing body has confirmed the news to autosport.com. "We understand that they have signed up with Ecclestone," the source said.

With Japanese manufacturer Honda heavily involved in the Aguri operation, the news of their decision to commit to F1 has provided further evidence that the resolve between the five GPMA members may not be as strong as some suggest.

There has long been speculation that Honda and Toyota now want to sign up with Ecclestone for F1, although they are prevented from doing so by a document the manufacturers signed last September binding them to stick together for 12 months.

The news of Aguri's decision comes amid suggestions from some quarters, however, that their commitment to F1 may have come in exchange for Ecclestone pressuring all their rivals to support their late entry for this year's championship.

The team missed the original deadline because of administrative issues and needed the unanimous approval of their rivals to get an entry for 2006.

One source, close to the negotiations with the teams over approving Aguri's entry, said: "Maybe the other teams were waiting to give their approval until Suzuki had given his signed approval to commit to F1."

Aguri's decision means that there are now six teams signed up for F1 beyond 2007 - with Ferrari, Williams, Midland, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso already committed.

FIA president Max Mosley would not comment on the suggestions that Aguri had committed to F1 when asked by reporters on Tuesday, although he did state yesterday that there are already six teams signed up beyond 2007.

Mosley did, however, make it clear that he welcomed their arrival in F1.

Speaking about suggestions that the team may be well off the pace at the start of the season, he said: "It is not ideal, but on the other hand it is great to have another team.

"The thing is if they are completely uncompetitive then they might well not turn up, and from our point of view that would not be a problem.

"They are obviously serious, they have got a lot of people working there very hard, so they are fulfilling all the criteria and they have put up the deposit. They have got the right people. This is not a frivolous thing."