-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
IndyCar
INDYCAR: Foyt Confirms Takuma Sato For 2013
As SPEED's Marshall Pruett revealed in December, Foyt Racing has confirmed it will have Japanese ex-F1 driver Takuma Sato leading its charge in 2013.
Takuma Sato will be taking his talents to Waller, Texas, as the new driver of the iconic No. 14 A.J. Foyt Racing entry. (Photo: Marshall Pruett)
After finding itself in need of a motivated racer capable of performing on ovals and road/street courses, A.J. and Larry Foyt have settled on 35-year-old ex-F1 driver Takuma Sato to lead the charge this season.
First revealed by SPEED.com in December, the three-year IndyCar Series veteran became a prime candidate to fill the seat vacated by Mike Conway, and with little fear of racing wheel to wheel on any of the tracks the series visits, the legendary team hopes Sato can help them to find Victory Lane once again.
“There were a lot of question marks when the season ended but I’m happy to put an end to all that now, said A.J. Foyt. "We chose to go with Takuma Sato because he brings a lot of experience to our team but he has the hunger of a rookie--and he’s certainly proven he has the desire to win.”
Sato's hunger, which has occasionally overpowered his decision-making skills in the heat of battle, will have a demanding steward in the elder Foyt who is expected to hold his new driver to an exceptionally high level of accountability.
If the pressure from Foyt can help Sato to keep the Honda-powered No. 14 intact at most rounds, the team will have every reason to expect an upturn in its results.
“I like the fact that he is competitive on both road courses and ovals and that he is a charger,” Foyt explained. “I think he has learned quite a bit in the short time he’s been over here and I look forward to working with him this year.”
Sato is also looking forward to seeing what he can achieve with the ABC Supply-sponsored program.
“I am extremely excited to be a part of A.J. Foyt Racing and working with ABC Supply for the 2013 season,” he said. “I have seen the potential of the team last year on a number of occasions. I think the team has one of the best engineering staffs in the paddock led by Don Halliday. I can’t wait to start testing next month.
“While I do not know A.J. well yet, it is unbelievable what he did in his career. A.J. has achieved so many wins in every type of car, at every type of circuit, and in every type of situation. That experience can only help in trying to win races this year. I think with A.J. and the team helping me this year, we can be very successful.”
The team also plans to run a second entry at the Indy 500, although it will likely be someone other than occasional Indy Lights driver Chase Austin, who the team announced at a press conference in Mid-Ohio last August. And the team continues to evaluate the possibility of running rising American star Conor Daly in select rounds at the end of the season.
Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, and covers the IndyCar Series. Before joining SPEED, Pruett worked in open-wheel racing for 20 years as a mechanic and engineer. He also contributes to RACER, Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him @MarshallPruett.
First revealed by SPEED.com in December, the three-year IndyCar Series veteran became a prime candidate to fill the seat vacated by Mike Conway, and with little fear of racing wheel to wheel on any of the tracks the series visits, the legendary team hopes Sato can help them to find Victory Lane once again.
“There were a lot of question marks when the season ended but I’m happy to put an end to all that now, said A.J. Foyt. "We chose to go with Takuma Sato because he brings a lot of experience to our team but he has the hunger of a rookie--and he’s certainly proven he has the desire to win.”
Sato's hunger, which has occasionally overpowered his decision-making skills in the heat of battle, will have a demanding steward in the elder Foyt who is expected to hold his new driver to an exceptionally high level of accountability.
If the pressure from Foyt can help Sato to keep the Honda-powered No. 14 intact at most rounds, the team will have every reason to expect an upturn in its results.
“I like the fact that he is competitive on both road courses and ovals and that he is a charger,” Foyt explained. “I think he has learned quite a bit in the short time he’s been over here and I look forward to working with him this year.”
Sato is also looking forward to seeing what he can achieve with the ABC Supply-sponsored program.
“I am extremely excited to be a part of A.J. Foyt Racing and working with ABC Supply for the 2013 season,” he said. “I have seen the potential of the team last year on a number of occasions. I think the team has one of the best engineering staffs in the paddock led by Don Halliday. I can’t wait to start testing next month.
“While I do not know A.J. well yet, it is unbelievable what he did in his career. A.J. has achieved so many wins in every type of car, at every type of circuit, and in every type of situation. That experience can only help in trying to win races this year. I think with A.J. and the team helping me this year, we can be very successful.”
The team also plans to run a second entry at the Indy 500, although it will likely be someone other than occasional Indy Lights driver Chase Austin, who the team announced at a press conference in Mid-Ohio last August. And the team continues to evaluate the possibility of running rising American star Conor Daly in select rounds at the end of the season.
Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, and covers the IndyCar Series. Before joining SPEED, Pruett worked in open-wheel racing for 20 years as a mechanic and engineer. He also contributes to RACER, Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him @MarshallPruett.
2013 INDY 500 Practice
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
INDYCAR: HIPPINO.com To Sponsor Kanaan At Detroit
Just a few weeks after announcing the KV Racing-SH Racing entry of… -
PHOTOS: Indy 500 Practice & Qualifying 2013
Enjoy a huge collection of photos from practice and qualifying while… -
LE MANS: BoP Adjustments For GTE Announced
GTE-Pro Aston Martins handed extra weight, larger restrictor for… -
LE MANS: Jim France Named LM24 Starter
GRAND-AM founder and NASCAR Vice Chairman to wave tri-colour flag… -
INDYCAR: 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh To Pace The Indy 500
Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, will drive the… -
MILLER: Dinner With Legends
It’s become an annual event and, as my pal and longtime Indy… -
VIDEO: Dyson Tech Talk - Tires 101
The art of going fast: what kind of feedback does a driver want from… - More News
