Asian Motor Sports

Japan’s Yuji Ide is now hot favourite to land the inaugural ‘Super Aguri’ seat alongside his compatriot, Takuma Sato. The Formula Nippon driver, who turns 31 on Saturday, is reportedly backed by a big sponsor and was spotted getting a seat fitted at the prospective team’s Leafield factory this week.

With ‘Aguri’ planning to start the 2006 season with Arrows’ old 2002 car, however, neither ‘Taku’ or Ide - who has never even tested a grand prix monster - should not be expected to immediately shine.