Former Formula One driver (45) may dream of third win in Indy500
F1 News
- GPblog.com
In 10 days, Takuma Sato will turn 46 years old, but the former Formula 1 driver is far from finished at the very highest level. The Japanese, who drove for six seasons in Formula 1 for teams with Honda engines, even gets the chance to achieve something unique this year.
Sato has already won the legendary Indy500 twice, this year he will have the opportunity to add a third win. On Tuesday, the veteran signed a contract with Chip Ganassi's top team, which won the prestigious race in Indianapolis last year with Marcus Ericsson. Sato will drive the races on the ovals in the IndyCar championship, including thus the Indy500. He then replaces former F2 driver Marcus Armstrong, who does the races on the regular and street circuits.
Honda again
At Ganassi, Sato can board a car with a Honda engine. On his new employer's site, the 45-year-old responded enthusiastically. "The organization has been at the top of our sport for decades and needless to say, extremely competitive. Focusing on the oval races is a new chapter for me but I'm thrilled to have the ability to race with team members and teammates that have won the championships and Indianapolis 500 in the past, which is a tremendous advantage. I just can't wait to get started.”
Sato is an absolute hero in his home country of Japan. He is one of only two Japanese to ever finish on the podium in a Grands Prix. Sato did so in 2005 at the US Grand Prix. Indeed, at the Indianapolis circuit.