Quote:
HONDA LINKED TO MYSTERY NEW TEAM
Last Updated: Tuesday, 04, October, 2005, 15:11 www.itv.com/f1
A mystery 11th team could be set to enter the Formula 1 fray with a supply of Honda engines in 2006.
It is unclear who is behind the new outfit but Japanese driver Takuma Sato, who has been replaced in the BAR-Honda squad by Rubens Barrichello in 2006, told Reuters he had been contacted about driving for the team next year.
"It's not confirmed that this new team will race but I have received an offer," he said.
"I'm not planning to quit Formula 1. I have to keep going and look for a solution."
Honda has supported Sato throughout his Formula 1 career and has made noises in recent weeks that it intends to continue backing the driver despite him not being a part of its new works team's driver line-up.
At Tuesday's announcement in Tokyo, Honda operating officer Hiroshi Oshima confirmed that the Japanese company is considering supplying engines to the mystery team.
"Nothing has been decided yet as far as drivers or engines go," he said.
"But Bernie Ecclestone has given the team his blessing and we are looking into the possibility of supplying their engines."
The team is not thought to have any previous experience of F1, but whoever it is would need to have the wherewithal to design, or at least buy the intellectual rights to, construct and run a fleet of new chassis in four months.
The news is also good for Britain's Anthony Davidson, who has been a BAR-Honda test driver for the last three years and is actively searching for a race seat in 2006.
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Sounds and interesting propect, in my mind this smells like the work of Eddie Irvine and his Russian connection.
Looking at the Honda BAR take over, I think that they will be known as Honda and only Honda. I understand that they have bought out BAR so therefore own 100% of the company, no need to share the name.