Super Aguri forced to delay launch

The SA07 is being manufactured out of Honda's R&D facility in Tochigi, but hopes of an first run early next month have been dashed because the monocoque failed the mandatory FIA crash test.

There was a chance the new car could have been launched at the first Bahrain test next month, but it is now looking likely that the car will only run for the first time in late February.

Super Aguri have set some impressive times in pre-season testing with their interim car, which bears a striking resemblance to Honda Racing's RA106.

The team are planning to run a development version of that car after Honda Japan obtained the intellectual property rights to the design.

Honda and Super Aguri will now set about working on modifications to the car so it will be strong enough to pass the crash test when it is submitted again.

Cars cannot race if they have not passed the tough FIA tests before the start of the season.