The team, founded by Suzuki in 2005, scored four points from 41 Grand Prix races.

With an annual budget of around euro50 million ($77.5 million) as well as receiving engines and technical support from Honda, they finished ninth out of 10 teams in the 2007 constructors’ championship.

Super Aguri did not score a point in four races this season, with drivers Takuma Sato of Japan and Britain’s Anthony Davidson both failing to finish the opening race in Australia. their best result was Sato’s 13th place in Barcelona, where Davidson retired.

“There were a lot of fond memories over the years,” Suzuki said. “But the thing I am most proud of is that we always fought hard and did our best despite the fact that we were a very small team.”

Suzuki said he informed Davidson and Sato of his decision by phone and the two were extremely disappointed. Suzuki became the first Asian driver to win an F1 podium place when he finished third at the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix. He drove F1 from 1988 to 1995.

Super Aguri initially had all-Japanese constructors, engine and tire suppliers, as well as Japanese drivers in Sato and Yuki Ide.

Suzuki said he would like to get back into motor sports if the conditions permitted.

“If I could just focus on racing I would think about it,” Suzuki said. “The racing part I enjoyed, but lately all the discussions were about money and that’s not for me.”

Others who crashed out

... contd.