Dozens of jobs at Formula One racing team Super Aguri are under threat after bosses launched a 30-day redundancy process at their base near Witney.

Up to 30 staff from a number of different departments at the Japanese firm on Leafield Industrial Estate could be affected. Spokesman Emma Bearpark said up to 30 staff could be found alternative posts over the next 30 days while the redundancy process was under way. About 120 staff currently work for the firm.

A 27-year-old maintenance worker, who told the Oxford Mail he had lost his job, said: "A lot of people are very upset they have done this just weeks before Christmas."

Staff could be offered posts at other Formula 1 racing teams, and at Honda, which is the car's engine supplier. Miss Bearpark added: "We have said all year we are a small team. We are beginning our third year now and all year we have said we required extra funding. What we are doing now is unfortunate. We hope that the people identified are able to get jobs in other parts of the company or the Formula 1 industry."

The Oxford Mail understands the company wants to start the restructuring now because the new season starts in March.