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Formula Sprint 2
Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka International Racing Course
Tuesday 2nd of April 2024 19:00:00
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November 09, 2004
One of the surprises of 2004 was Simsoa's sudden leap in performance after an almost fatally dismal 2003 season.

After losing the Mercedes engine deal to MMRT in January due to "underestimating bidding values of other teams", the team went to Cosworth. However, a strong sponsor list of Ubisoft and Sony Ericsson kept the team optimistic for the season ahead. In fact, by the end of the season, many sponsors including Atari and Fuji-TV have been knocking on the team's Tokyo HQ door! It is believed that Simsoa wish to move back to Mercedes because of Cosworth's doubtful long-term future, "I do want to see if Simsoa is able to return to Mercedes, but if a deal comes through from Cosworth that looks potentially secure, I will definitely consider it."

By Tuesday evening, the Simsoa team arrived at their Tokyo base preparing for an excellent party at the recently bought Karaoke Bar in downtown Tokyo! However, before then, the two race cars were officially 'retired' and wheeled into the team's museum on site with all of its equipment intact for posterity. Lawrence commented on it answering Japanese reporters outside the HQ, "It's really sad to see them standing still on a plinth never to race again; but it's satisfying knowing they deserved their place in Simsoa history."

Work has already begun on the initial race chassis for the provisionally named "SA-04V" as the final draft of regulations from the F1VWC Governing Body is delivered to teams in the the next couple of weeks.

As for the drivers, the duo of Javier Aparicio and David Brown has shown its strength in the paddock on both a personal and racing level. David's first season in the F1VWC has proved fruitful with 11 points and equal 15th in the Drivers' Title. Despite Javier not being able to score this year, his skill has improved drastically with his switch to digital wheel components (keyboard to wheel).

Javier told the Simsoa News Crew:

"I am satisfied with the final result of the season, since it was my objective to finish the races, allowing to escape with some valuable points in Monza although almost it was able to finish 8th in Monza with the keyboard (in spite of having problems the wheel). I have also improved enough for the change of the keyboard to Wheel and I have improved a lot. But good, I cannot complain!!!

I have good impressions on the wet race in Belgium, where I finish the fourth position in Spa!!! I like to race with rain!!!"

Because to tell you and me - it has been an incredible season since I compete in that all drivers have made a great paper this season now I gotta go enjoy of some deserved the holidays[Jejeje], although as always until Stage and preseason.

Out of 10, i would give Simsoa a 9.5 since the season has been magnificent, I have reliable cars, increased the power of the engine plus the organization of the team is very well mounted and works very well; besides the infrastructure is the best I have ever seen, but I cannot give him a 10 because there are always details that can be improved further."

It is clear that Simsoa is one of the definite teams to be on the 2005 F1VWC Grid in Melbourne in March, but will anything have changed in the months to come in terms of management or driver line-up, it is very unlikely as Lawrence has always stated, "I don't belive in abrupt changes, gradual changes are much better through apprenticeship and tutorials from established experts - but I'm sure we'll see some new faces in the team soon in conjunction with the current posse!"

So, all in all, a great season that the team deserve, will 2005 be the same?