Takuma Sato

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Takuma Sato
Takuma Sato - August 2014 - Sarah Stierch.jpg
Sato at Sonoma Raceway in 2014
Nationality Japan Japanese
Born (1977-01-28) 28 January 1977 (age 48)
Tokyo, Japan
IndyCar Series career
Debut season 2010
Current team A. J. Foyt Enterprises
Car no. 14
Former teams KV Racing Technology
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Starts 102
Wins 1
Poles 5
Fastest laps 1
Best finish 13th in 2011
Previous series
2002–2008
2000, 2001
2000, 2001
1999–2001		 Formula One
Masters of Formula 3
Macau Grand Prix
British Formula Three
Championship titles
2001
2001
2001		 Macau Grand Prix
Masters of Formula 3
British Formula Three
Formula One World Championship career
Active years 2002–2008
Teams Jordan, BAR, Super Aguri
Entries 92 (90 starts)
Championships 0
Wins 0
Podiums 1
Career points 44
Pole positions 0
Fastest laps 0
First entry 2002 Australian Grand Prix
Last entry 2008 Spanish Grand Prix

Takuma Sato (佐藤 琢磨 Satō Takuma?, born January 28, 1977 in Tokyo) is a Japanese professional automobile racing driver. He currently races full-time in the Indy Racing League for A. J. Foyt Enterprises. He is a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.

Racing career

Formula One

Jordan (2002)

In 2002 Sato graduated to Formula One with the Honda-powered Jordan team, and was paired with Giancarlo Fisichella. His low point was a tremendous crash in Austria, caused when Nick Heidfeld lost control of his Sauber under braking and hit the side of Sato's car, punching a hole in the side of the cockpit.[1] Throughout he showed flashes of speed but also wild driving, nevertheless the team's faith in Sato was repaid by a fine drive to fifth at his home Grand Prix in Suzuka.

BAR (2003–05)

Sato celebrates his only Formula One podium finish, at the 2004 United States Grand Prix.

With Honda's focus shifting solely to British American Racing for 2003 Sato joined the Brackley-based outfit as a test driver. For the final round in Japan Sato replaced Jacques Villeneuve and scored the second points finish of his career with sixth, despite a collision with Michael Schumacher. He was signed to race full-time in 2004. His season was blighted by numerous engine failures, suffering no less than six. In spite of this Sato's aggressive driving style paid dividends at the United States Grand Prix, after the team did not pit under safety car conditions Sato fought back with some daring overtaking moves to score his first podium finish, the first for a Japanese driver since Aguri Suzuki at the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix. He finished eighth in the championship with 34 points and helped the team to second in the Constructors' championship.

Sato was retained by BAR-Honda for the 2005 season, but the 2005 car was not as close to the front of the pack as the previous year's design. Sato missed the Malaysian Grand Prix with illness, and both drivers were disqualified from the San Marino Grand Prix and the entire team banned from the two subsequent races for using cars which were underweight when all fuel was removed. The Court did not find that this was deliberate. Sato's season never recovered from that point, after a crash-strewn season which included being disqualified from the Japanese Grand Prix for an overly-ambitious move on Jarno Trulli, Sato was not re-signed for 2006, despite Honda taking full control of the team.

Super Aguri (2006–08)

Sato joined the new Super Aguri F1 team for 2006, run by former Japanese driver Aguri Suzuki. The new outfit was in effect a Honda B-team but ran the first half of the season with a modified version of a 2002 Arrows A23 chassis. Nevertheless, Sato's reputation improved thanks to his professional attitude and competitive spirit. The team introduced a new car, the SA06 at the German Grand Prix and by the end of the season Sato was outpacing the Midland cars. At the season finale in Brazil Sato finished tenth just two places short of a points finish and comfortably ahead of both Toro Rossos and the Spyker MF1s.

For 2007, Super Aguri ran a reword version of the previous year's Honda RA106 chassis. Their performance improved drastically as Sato made it through to Q3 at the Australian Grand Prix. He then scored the first point for the team at the Spanish Grand Prix. At the Canadian Grand Prix, Sato finished sixth after having a race that had seen him move from the middle of the grid to a high of fifth, passing Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen before a pit-stop error dropped him back to eleventh. He moved up five places in the last 15 laps, passing Toyota's Ralf Schumacher and then on lap 67 the McLaren-Mercedes of world champion Fernando Alonso; the latter pass was met with cheers around the track.[2]

Sato at the 2008 Malaysian Grand Prix.

Financial problems began to affect the team in the off-season winter break and the Japanese squad only just made it to the opening round of the 2008 season in Australia. The team used a modified Honda RA107 chassis, which was launched just before the first Friday Practice session that weekend. The car was just as uncompetitive as the Honda had been in 2007 and the team withdrew from Formula One after the Spanish Grand Prix.

In late 2008, Sato took part in tests at Jerez with Scuderia Toro Rosso, to become a candidate to fill the seat vacated by Sebastian Vettel. He was competing against former Toro Rosso driver Sébastien Bourdais and Red Bull Racing test and reserve driver Sébastien Buemi for one of the two race seats.[3] He first drove on 18 September, more than four months since Super Aguri's withdrawal, and tested for the team again for two days in November, setting the fastest time on the 17th,[4] 3 tenths ahead of Buemi, and proceeded by setting the second-fastest time on the 18th.[5]

Bourdais eventually won the race seat and in March 2009 it was announced that Sato would not be the reserve driver for the Red Bull team.[6]

IndyCar Series

KV Racing Technology (2010–11)

Sato driving for KV Racing at the 2011 Indy Japan 300.

Sato visited the Indianapolis 500 in May 2009. He signed with KV Racing Technology to drive in the 2010 IndyCar Series season [7] finishing in 21st place, he signed for the same team for 2011.[8]

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (2012)

At the 2012 Indianapolis 500, driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Sato chased Dario Franchitti to the finish making a move for the lead and the race win at the first turn of the last lap. While not successful, Sato was respected by Indianapolis 500 fans for "going for it" on the last lap.

A. J. Foyt Enterprises (2013–present)

For 2013, Sato joined A. J. Foyt's team, driving the No. 14 car vacated by Mike Conway. In the third race of the season at Long Beach, Sato scored his first IndyCar win, in his 52nd start in the series, making him the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race.[9]

Formula Nippon/Super Formula

On 14 June 2012, Mugen Motorsports announced that Sato would race with Team Mugen in the last 2 rounds, as well as the JAF Grand Prix, at Sportsland SUGO, Suzuka Circuit and Fuji Speedway of the 2012 Formula Nippon season.[10]

Formula E

On 20 November 2013, Sato became a test driver for the FIA Formula E Championship.[11] On 11 September 2014, Sato joined his former Formula One team Amlin Aguri to compete in Formula E, starting with the season-opening Beijing ePrix.[12] In the race, Sato set the fastest lap with a time of 1:45.101, but was not classified, despite finishing the race four laps down.[13]

Personal life

Sato is married and has two children with his wife, Chiharu.[14]

Motorsports career results

Career summary

Season Series Team Races Poles Wins Points Position
1998 All-Japan Formula Three Dome Project 1 0 0 0 NC
1999 British Formula Three – National class Diamond Racing 7 0 0 103 4th
Europa Cup Britain  ?  ?  ? 48 2nd
Formula Opel European Union Series  ?  ? 1 115 6th
2000 British Formula Three Carlin Motorsport 12 6 4 129 3rd
European Formula Three Cup 1 0 0 N/A NC
Macau Grand Prix 1 0 0 N/A 14th
Masters of Formula Three 1 0 0 N/A 28th
Korea Super Prix 1 0 0 N/A 8th
2001 British Formula Three Carlin Motorsport 25 6 12 345 1st
European Formula Three Cup 1 0 0 N/A NC
Macau Grand Prix 1 0 1 N/A 1st
Masters of Formula Three 1 1 1 N/A 1st
Formula One Lucky Strike BAR Honda Test driver
2002 Formula One DHL Jordan Honda 17 0 0 2 15th
2003 Formula One Lucky Strike BAR Honda 1 0 0 3 18th
2004 Formula One Lucky Strike BAR Honda 18 0 0 34 8th
2005 Formula One Lucky Strike BAR Honda 16 0 0 1 23rd
2006 Formula One Super Aguri F1 Team 18 0 0 0 23rd
2007 Formula One Super Aguri F1 Team 17 0 0 4 17th
2008 Formula One Super Aguri F1 Team 4 0 0 0 21st
2010 Izod IndyCar Series KV Racing Technology 17 0 0 214 21st
2011 Izod IndyCar Series KV Racing Technology – Lotus 17 2 0 282 13th
2012 Izod IndyCar Series Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing 15 0 0 281 14th
2013 Izod IndyCar Series A. J. Foyt Enterprises 19 2 1 322 17th
2014 Verizon IndyCar Series A. J. Foyt Enterprises 18 2 0 350 18th
2014–15 Formula E Amlin Aguri 1 0 0 2 24th
2015 Verizon IndyCar Series A. J. Foyt Enterprises 16 0 0 323 14th
2016 Verizon IndyCar Series A. J. Foyt Enterprises 1 0 0 28 6th

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 WDC Points
2002 DHL Jordan Honda Jordan EJ12 Honda RA002E 3.0 V10 AUS
Ret		 MAL
9		 BRA
9		 SMR
Ret		 ESP
Ret		 AUT
Ret		 MON
Ret		 CAN
10		 EUR
16		 GBR
Ret		 FRA
Ret		 GER
8		 HUN
10		 BEL
11		 ITA
12		 USA
11		 JPN
5		 15th 2
2003 Lucky Strike BAR Honda BAR 005 Honda RA003E 3.0 V10 AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN EUR FRA GBR GER HUN ITA USA JPN
6		 18th 3
2004 Lucky Strike BAR Honda BAR 006 Honda RA004E 3.0 V10 AUS
9		 MAL
15		 BHR
5		 SMR
16		 ESP
5		 MON
Ret		 EUR
Ret		 CAN
Ret		 USA
3		 FRA
Ret		 GBR
11		 GER
8		 HUN
6		 BEL
Ret		 ITA
4		 CHN
6		 JPN
4		 BRA
6		 8th 34
2005 Lucky Strike BAR Honda BAR 007 Honda RA005E 3.0 V10 AUS
14		 MAL
PO		 BHR
Ret		 SMR
DSQ		 ESP MON EUR
12		 CAN
Ret		 USA
DNS		 FRA
11		 GBR
16		 GER
12		 HUN
8		 TUR
9		 ITA
16		 BEL
Ret		 BRA
10		 JPN
DSQ		 CHN
Ret		 23rd 1
2006 Super Aguri F1 Team Super Aguri SA05 Honda RA806E 2.4 V8 BHR
18		 MAL
14		 AUS
12		 SMR
Ret		 EUR
Ret		 ESP
17		 MON
Ret		 GBR
17		 CAN
15		 USA
Ret		 FRA
Ret		 23rd 0
Super Aguri SA06 GER
Ret		 HUN
13		 TUR
NC		 ITA
16		 CHN
DSQ		 JPN
15		 BRA
10
2007 Super Aguri F1 Super Aguri SA07 Honda RA807E 2.4 V8 AUS
12		 MAL
13		 BHR
Ret		 ESP
8		 MON
17		 CAN
6		 USA
Ret		 FRA
16		 GBR
14		 EUR
Ret		 HUN
15		 TUR
18		 ITA
16		 BEL
15		 JPN
15		 CHN
14		 BRA
12		 17th 4
2008 Super Aguri F1 Super Aguri SA08 Honda RA808E 2.4 V8 AUS
Ret		 MAL
16		 BHR
17		 ESP
13		 TUR MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN EUR BEL ITA SIN CHN JPN BRA 21st 0

Complete IndyCar results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Rank Points
2010 KV Racing Technology Dallara Honda SAO
22		 STP
22		 ALA
25		 LBH
18		 KAN
24		 INDY
20		 TXS
25		 IOW
19		 WGL
15		 TOR
25		 EDM
9		 MDO
25		 SNM
18		 CHI
26		 KTY
27		 MOT
12		 HMS
18		 21st 214
2011 KV Racing Technology – Lotus STP
5		 ALA
17		 LBH
21		 SAO
8		 INDY
33		 TXS
5		 TXS
12		 MIL
8		 IOW
19		 TOR
20		 EDM
21		 MDO
4		 NHM
7		 SNM
18		 BAL
18		 MOT
10		 KTY
15		 LVS1
C		 13th 282
2012 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Dallara DW12 STP
22		 ALA
24		 LBH
8		 SAO
3		 INDY
17		 DET
20		 TXS
22		 MIL
20		 IOW
12		 TOR
9		 EDM
2		 MDO
13		 SNM
27		 BAL
21		 FON
7		 14th 281
2013 A. J. Foyt Enterprises STP
8		 ALA
14		 LBH
1		 SAO
2		 INDY
13		 DET
19		 DET
23		 TXS
11		 MIL
7		 IOW
23		 POC
22		 TOR
24		 TOR
20		 MDO
22		 SNM
23		 BAL
24		 HOU
17		 HOU
14		 FON
17		 17th 322
2014 STP
7		 LBH
22		 ALA
13		 IMS
9		 INDY
19		 DET
18		 DET
18		 TXS
18		 HOU
22		 HOU
19		 POC
21		 IOW
22		 TOR
23		 TOR
5		 MDO
18		 MIL
15		 SNM
4		 FON
6		 18th 350
2015 STP
13		 NLA
22		 LBH
18		 ALA
17		 IMS
9		 INDY
13		 DET
11		 DET
2		 TXS
16		 TOR
10		 FON
18		 MIL
14		 IOW
19		 MDO
24		 POC
6		 SNM
8		 14th 323
2016 STP
6		 PHX
15		 LBH
5		 ALA
13		 IMS
18		 INDY
26		 DET
 DET
 TXS
 RDA
 IOW
 TOR
 MDO
 POC
 WGL
 SNM
 14th* 134*

* Season still in progress.

Years Teams Races Poles Wins Top 5s Top 10s Indianapolis 500
Wins		 Championships
6 3 102 5 1 10 27 0 0

Indianapolis 500

Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
2010 Dallara Honda 31 20 KV Racing Technology
2011 Dallara Honda 10 33 KV Racing Technology – Lotus
2012 Dallara Honda 19 17 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
2013 Dallara Honda 18 13 A. J. Foyt Enterprises
2014 Dallara Honda 23 19 A. J. Foyt Enterprises
2015 Dallara Honda 24 13 A. J. Foyt Enterprises
2016 Dallara Honda 12 26 A. J. Foyt Enterprises

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

Year Entrant Class Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rank Points
2012 OAK Racing LMP1 OAK Pescarolo 01 Honda LM-V8 3.4 L V8 SEB SPA LMS SIL SÃO BHR FUJ
16		 SHA
14		 80th 1

Complete Formula Nippon/Super Formula results

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 DC Points
2012 Team Mugen SUZ MOT AUT FUJ MOT SUG
9		 SUZ
17		 SUZ
10		 15th 0
2013 Team Mugen SUZ
15		 AUT FUJ MOT SUG
11		 SUZ
9		 SUZ
8		 18th 0.5

Complete Formula E results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Pos Points
2014–15 Amlin Aguri Spark-Renault SRT 01E BEI
Ret		 PUT PDE BNA MIA LBH MON BER MOS LON LON 24th 2

See also

References

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External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Autosport
National Racing Driver of the Year
2001		 Succeeded by
Robbie Kerr
Sporting positions
Preceded by British Formula 3
Champion
2001		 Succeeded by
Robbie Kerr
Preceded by Formula Three Masters
Winner
2001		 Succeeded by
Fabio Carbone
Preceded by Macau Grand Prix
Winner
2001		 Succeeded by
Tristan Gommendy

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