Super Aguri set to race in 2006

Japan's Super Aguri are expected to be confirmed as Formula One's 11th team next week, the sport's governing body said on Thursday.

"The FIA has received official notification that all the competing teams have approved the late entry of Super Aguri to the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship," an International Automobile Federation (FIA) spokesman said.

"We have also been informed that the required financial guarantee will be presented to the FIA early next week.

"A formal announcement of the new team's entry will be made on receipt of the guarantee."

Honda-powered Super Aguri said last month that they had secured the agreement of the 10 existing teams to be allowed to enter the championship starting in Bahrain on March 12.

They have however to deposit a $48 million (33 million pound) bond with the FIA, to be repaid in installments, to guarantee their participation.

Super Aguri's initial application was rejected in November after they failed to hand over the money by the deadline.

The team run by former racer Aguri Suzuki are expected to sign former BAR racer Takuma Sato as one of their two drivers once the FIA gives its formal acceptance.

Formula Nippon driver Yuji Ide, Sakon Yamamoto -- who was Jordan's third driver in Friday practice before last year's Japanese Grand Prix -- and Kosuke Matsuura have all been linked to the second seat.

Based at the old Arrows factory in central England, Super Aguri plan to race four-year-old cars designed by that now-defunct team before introducing their own design later in the season.

Formula One has not had 11 teams since Arrows folded during the 2002 season.