Formula One: Suzuki's Green Light to Reapply for Place on Formula One Grid

The former grand prix driver Aguri Suzuki plans to reapply for his team to join the world championship grid for next season following consultations with the FIA president Max Mosley. The team has been left off the official list of 2006 contenders after failing to lodge the $40m bond required of new teams by the sport's governing body.

"Our goal is still absolutely to have two cars on the grid for the start of next year," Suzuki said in a statement. However, even if accepted by the FIA, the new team's participation in next year's championship would require the agreement of the other 10 officially registered competitors.

If the Honda-supported team is not on the starting grid in Bahrain next March it will be a huge blow for both Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson, who were meant to make up the driving team. Suzuki has already established a base at the former Arrows headquarters near Chipping Norton and has been working for some weeks assessing whether it would be possible to run the old Arrows A23s, acquired from the former Minardi owner Paul Stoddart, as an interim measure during their maiden season.

The last time such a setback occurred was at the end of 1992 when Williams, just crowned world champions with Nigel Mansell, were a few days late in lodging their entry for the following season. All the other teams agreed they could compete, but only after extracting their agreement to restrict electronic driver aids for 1994, a move which Williams had originally opposed.

"Mr Mosley kindly said on the phone we could apply once more, even though the cut-off line has passed," said Suzuki's business partner Fumito Akita.

Renault have confirmed that Heikki Kovalainen, runner-up in this year's inaugural GP2 championship, will be their third driver next season. The 24-year-old Finn said: "I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity."