The Lesser Known... Interview with Aguri Suzuki

Q: Best part of being a team principal?
Aguri Suzuki: To have my own team has been a long held dream. Becoming a team principal feels as though I have arrived at an important destination in my career and it brings an immense sense of satisfaction.

Q: The most annoying?
AS: Waiting for the application to participate in the 2006 championship to be approved. We could not progress with our plans without it and it seemed like an eternity.

Q: Running a Formula One team is like...
AS: ...riding a motocross motorbike - there are so many ups and downs.

Q: What would you be if you weren't a team principal?
AS: Competing in other race categories in Japan and the USA.

Q: The first thing I do after a race is...
AS: ...jump on an aeroplane.

Q: Winning a race would mean...
AS: ...accomplishment - the purpose of participating has to be to win.

Q: What's your favourite place to relax?
AS: The plane cabin from Europe to Japan - I can get some sleep!

Q: Funniest thing you've read about yourself in the press?
AS: After we announced our participation in November 2005 quite a few journalists wrote, 'There is no chance Super Aguri will put a car on the grid in Bahrain in 2006'. I am extremely relieved that we were able to reach our goal.

Q: The most difficult decision you have had to make as a team principal?
AS: They are all difficult, whether they are decisions relating to budget or the many small day-to-day decisions. In their own way, they are all equally challenging.

Q: Best time during a race weekend?
AS: When both cars reach Q2 or when we score a championship point.

Q: Formula One racing and politics is like...
AS: Formula One is like a small village and village politics influence all the rules and regulations we work to.

Q: Your best moment as a team principal?
AS: Seeing the satisfaction on the faces of our entire team when we have a good result.

Q: What's something you always wanted to do but never had the time?
AS: Golf.

Q: What was your first race as a team principal like?
AS: I was surprised with the lack of speed of our car, it was just so incredibly slow. I wondered how we could ever make the cars fast enough to compete in Formula One.

Q: Who would you like to be for one day? And why?
AS: A driver. To be able to concentrate purely on my driving.

Q: Does money change everything?
AS: I wouldn't say everything, but it does allow you to change or influence some things. However, for me, human relations are the most important thing - and money is no substitute for good relations and is no help if your relationships are not working.

Source: f1.com