There was a disappointing, but not wholly unexpected, end to the German Grand Prix for the Super Aguri F1 team's SA06, with Takuma Sato's encouraging weekend seeing him retire with a gearbox oil leak having climbed to 15th position at Hockenheim.

　 "The debut of the SA06 in Germany has been positive and the car performed very well in qualifying yesterday. We were expecting a little bit more in terms of race pace today, so we are a little bit disappointed, but it is a big step up from the SA05, so this will come in time. It was exciting to be able to race with the Midlands and, in the second stint, I was still ahead of one of them. In the end, though, I had a gearbox-related oil issue so I had to retire from the race. Because this is a new car, it is not really surprising that we encountered some kind of problem. Although, it was obviously a disappointing race today, overall it was a good weekend for us - not easy, but definitely a good weekend."

　 The Super Aguri F1 team enjoyed its best day yet, as Takuma Sato out-qualified his nearest rivals by 0.651secs in the new SA06 to start the German Grand Prix in 17th position.

　 "This was an absolutely fantastic team effort and it feels great. I know how hard it has been to bring the new car here on such a tight schedule and, overnight, the boys worked so hard. We had a few minor problems, which is usual with a new car, but I think the SA06 is performing very well. We have split the Midland car times straight away in our first proper qualifying, which is a stunning job from everybody in the team. I think that, considering this is just our first step in the SA06, potentially this car could be very good."

　 Takuma Sato made an encouraging start to the German Grand Prix weekend in Hockenheim on Friday with the new Super Aguri SA06. Takuma completed the majority of his planned testing programme during the morning's free practice session. Rain delayed the start of the afternoon's running for most of the teams', and although he was hit by a hydraulic problem luckily it was only a few minutes before the chequered flag. In total Taku completed 32 laps, his best time a 1m 19.365s.

　 "It was a very good initial day with the SA06 for us. It was really the first test after the shakedown last week and the car ran well during the first session and also at the beginning of the second. Unfortunately we had a hydraulic problem which meant that we were unable to finish the complete programme for today, but I think it is just a minor problem, just one of those you always encounter when running a new car for the first time. The SA06 shows a very good manner and is performing well, so I am happy with the progress that we have made today."