Former F1 driver Aguri Suzuki has applied to enter a new Formula One team next season with engines supplied by Honda. Suzuki, 45, said his "Super Aguri Formula 1" had submitted an entry form to the FIA last week.

"I'm filled with the desire to hoist Japan's flag on the podium as a constructor or team," Suzuki, who became in 1990 the first Japanese to score a podium finish in a World Championship round, said. "I have joined many races. If I look at them as mountains, F1 is like climbing Mount Everest. No one knows what will be waiting for us ahead ... but I will do my best," he said.

"We will use Honda V8 engines but the drivers are undecided," Suzuki told a news conference at Honda headquarters in Tokyo.

Suzuki said Japanese driver Takuma Sato, who was dropped by the BAR Honda team last season, could be one of the drivers. "We are in talks with Mr Takuma Sato and are also negotiating with several other drivers," he said.

Suzuki said the team was also negotiating with possible sponsors as "F1 is a world in which you can never have enough money."  Suzuki said he wanted to ask Bridgestone to supply tires. While the team has Honda backing, Suzuki denied it was the Japanese automaker's second team, saying Super Aguri Formula 1 was original.

"We have cleared all the hurdles up to this point," Suzuki said. "There is a huge amount of work left but we plan to be on the grid in 2006."

Further details of the team will be announced between late January and early February