Cash-strapped Formula One Super Aguri talking with investors

TOKYO (AFP) - - Struggling Formula One team Super Aguri is in talks with new potential investors in its drive to survive a financial crisis, according to its owner Aguri Suzuki.

"We are holding talks with a few companies which have not been mentioned before," the former Japanese F1 driver said in an interview with the Tokyo Chunichi Sports daily published Saturday.

"I don't think we will have a contract with any of the rumoured ones. We have had talks with them but various factors have cropped up," he said without giving names.

Suzuki also confirmed his Honda-backed outfit intends to retain both Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson on its drivers line-up.

"It has not been formally decided yet but, basically, it will be the same as last year," he said.

An Indian consortium led by the Spice Group telecom company last week said it was interested in buying into Super Aguri on condition that Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan be put in the cockpit this year.

Karthikeyan, 30, became India's first Formula One driver with the Jordan team in 2005. He tested for Williams in the past two years but his contract was not renewed.

It was reported last week that Spanish businessman Alejandro Agag had bought as much as 50 percent of Super Aguri, which is based in Leafield, England. But the team denied the report in Germany's Auto Bild.

The website of the American broadcaster Speed TV also cited rumours that an unidentified Russian consortium had emerged as a potential investor in Super Aguri.

Super Aguri, the first all-Japanese team in the Western-dominated sport, has struggled for financial support since Suzuki founded it in late 2005.

"There are many things that should be resolved. But they are all at levels that can be dealt with," Suzuki said. "We never disappear. We'll be alright."