Fry: My conscience is clear

HONDA

Saturday 10th May 2008

Honda CEO Nick Fry insists his conscience is clear in the wake of Super Aguri's demise this week.

Super Aguri folded on Tuesday with debts of more than �50million owed to parent company Honda, and were immediately placed into administration.

However, in the aftermath, an accusing finger was pointed at Fry by former Formula One driver and the Japanese minnow's team boss Aguri Suzuki.

The team's cars were impounded at Honda headquarters in Brackley after the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona a fortnight ago.

But when questioned on his possible involvement, Fry said: "I would say my conscience is more than clear.

"Myself and the Honda team put a vast amount of effort into doing the best we possibly could, into trying to find the appropriate partner.

"The principal effort was with Magma/DIC (Dubai International Capital), and we came within a hair's breadth of that happening.

"It would have been nice for it to have come to fruition, but obviously it didn't.

"So I would be very interested to hear from the person who thinks we, or I, have any responsibility for the demise of Super Aguri.

"It's a business issue."

Fry admitted he could "understand Aguri's emotion" following the downfall of his team, and how he might be willing to look for scapegoats.

He added: "He had just announced to the world he was pulling out of Formula One, with fairly serious financial ramifications for him.

"The fact he was quite emotional about it was no big surprise, but this is a pure financial issue.

"Some of the things that have been written, like them not being allowed into the paddock, are somewhat irrelevant.

"Aguri went to the Honda management on Tuesday to tell them he wasn't able to continue because he didn't have the money, and that is what this is all about.

"The other stuff might be of interest, but it's not relevant.

"At the end of the day I am sorry to see them go, and I'm clearly disappointed for some of the people there, including Anthony and Takuma (Davidson and Sato).

The two drivers, who have long been associated with Honda, are now in limbo, and although they are determined to return to F1, such a hope appears a long shot.

Fry, though, has promised to do all he can to assist, adding: "It's something we're thinking about at the moment.

"Obviously both drivers have done a super job over a number of years and if we can help I am sure will, but there is nothing planned right now."

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