FIA president fears for future of Super Aguri team

FIA president Max Mosley fears Formula One will lose another team before the end of the season.

Super Aguri are the marque under threat, with rumours rife they may even struggle to make the curtain-raising Australian Grand Prix in seven weeks' time.

Speculation is the team could fold due to the costs of running a team in F1, or be the subject of a potential takeover.

When asked whether he was confident 11 teams would finish the year, Mosley replied: "Not very."

That prompted an enquiry as to whether he believed 11 teams would start, to which he answered: "I wouldn't like to stake my life on that. I think so, but you can't be certain."

Super Aguri are a team run on a very tight budget, cutting costs by using engines supplied by Japanese giants Honda.

Mosley appreciates their hardship, adding: "I think it's difficult for those teams not directly connected to a manufacturer, and who don't have substantial private backing.

"Somebody has to put the money up, but then I wrote to the teams telling them not to rely on handouts from billionaires because it is just not viable.

"I think we should be alright this season, although it doesn't solve the problem.

"But as far as we are concerned they are a normal team perfectly entitled to race.

"They're entered into this year's championship, and we expect to see them in Melbourne."

Beyond this season, though, is another matter, but then the same applies to all teams at present as there is no Concorde Agreement in place.

The Agreement is a contract between FIA, the teams and Formula One Administration dictating terms by which the teams compete and take their share of the television revenues and prize money.

Provisionally, there are 12 places available on the grid for 2009, and it remains to be seen if all will be filled.

"Once the regulations are sorted then we will open the entries," added Mosley.

"At the moment there are 12 slots, now if Bernie (Ecclestone) and the teams want to cut that down to 11, it's something to discuss.

"Hopefully by then the commercial situation will be resolved, so if there is a 12th slot and somebody wants to enter then they'll know the terms.

"The first step is an agreement between the teams as to who gets paid what and all the circumstances.

"If it drags on into the summer then we will open the entries and the 11 - if they are all still there - will probably enter.

"A 12th team will have to take their chances, but if I was a 12th team then I would go to Bernie and try to do a deal."