Colourful™
10-05-2006, 03:54 PM
Yuji Ide’s hopes of returning to his Super Aguri race seat have been dashed with the news that the FIA has revoked the Japanese driver’s Super License. He will be replaced by Franck Montagny for the next two races.
Montagny stepped in for Ide at last weekend’s European Grand Prix after the sport’s governing body advised Super Aguri to give the Japanese rookie more track time away from races. It followed an official reprimand at Imola, where he tipped Midland’s Christijan Albers into a barrel roll at the first corner.
Super Aguri had hoped that Ide would be able to return to his race seat and maintain the team’s all-Japanese line-up alongside Takuma Sato. However, the FIA’s latest decision means that Ide is out of a drive until next season at the earliest.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Super Aguri confirmed that “the FIA Permit Office has retracted Yuji Ide's Super License. He will therefore not be participating in any further official FIA Formula One World Championship events this year.
“It is with sadness and regret that the team accepts this decision, however Aguri Suzuki and A.Company (Japan) shall continue to seek driving opportunities for Yuji and hopefully a path back into Formula One.
“As a result, Franck Montagny will drive once again for the SAF1 Team at the forthcoming Spanish Grand Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix whilst discussions with a number of parties continue regarding the permanent positions of second race seat and third driver.”
Super Aguri’s late entry to the 2006 world championship meant that Ide, runner up in last year’s Formula Nippon series, arrived on the grid in Bahrain having had next to no Formula One testing. His best - and only - finish was 13th place at the Australian Grand Prix.
Montagny stepped in for Ide at last weekend’s European Grand Prix after the sport’s governing body advised Super Aguri to give the Japanese rookie more track time away from races. It followed an official reprimand at Imola, where he tipped Midland’s Christijan Albers into a barrel roll at the first corner.
Super Aguri had hoped that Ide would be able to return to his race seat and maintain the team’s all-Japanese line-up alongside Takuma Sato. However, the FIA’s latest decision means that Ide is out of a drive until next season at the earliest.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Super Aguri confirmed that “the FIA Permit Office has retracted Yuji Ide's Super License. He will therefore not be participating in any further official FIA Formula One World Championship events this year.
“It is with sadness and regret that the team accepts this decision, however Aguri Suzuki and A.Company (Japan) shall continue to seek driving opportunities for Yuji and hopefully a path back into Formula One.
“As a result, Franck Montagny will drive once again for the SAF1 Team at the forthcoming Spanish Grand Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix whilst discussions with a number of parties continue regarding the permanent positions of second race seat and third driver.”
Super Aguri’s late entry to the 2006 world championship meant that Ide, runner up in last year’s Formula Nippon series, arrived on the grid in Bahrain having had next to no Formula One testing. His best - and only - finish was 13th place at the Australian Grand Prix.