Super Aguri expect to maintain pace

The newest team on the grid have surprised many onlookers with their stronger than expected form in the first three races, which included Takuma Sato making it into the third session of qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix.

And although they do not have the budget or resources of the manufacturer teams they are up against, chief designer Peter McCool believes improvements planned for Barcelona should see them maintain the pressure on their rivals.

"I am pleased that we have been able to continue our rate of performance increase from last year to this," he said. "This season we are most definitely not last.

"That vindicates our determined approach to improve performance. Getting in to Q3 of the qualifying session in Melbourne was an unexpected reward for all our hard work."

Super Aguri introduced a host of improvements to their SA07 challenger in last week's Barcelona test. And although poor weather hampered their progress, they hope the developments will pay dividends this weekend.

"In true SAF1 Team style we bit off more than we should have done," explained McCool about what they tried at the test.

"We have introduced a new carbon gearbox and a comprehensive aero package that includes a revised floor, a new chimney, T-wing and a whole new rear wing package.

"It was a shame that the bad weather precluded us from fully optimising this package for the forthcoming race. But I am confident that the hard work of the Aero and Design departments will be repaid with a good race result.

"Our goal this year is to score points. It would be great if we managed to achieve that this weekend."