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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Sato Nearing Team Switch For 2012
Takuma Sato almost switched from Honda to Chevrolet last month, but it appears he'll continue to represent his country and marque in a new team next year.
Takuma Sato will remain in the IZOD IndyCar Series using Honda power in 2012. (Photo: LAT)
Takuma Sato was on the verge of switching camps from Honda to Chevrolet last month, telling SPEED.com, “I can drive for anyone; I am talking to several teams with different options,” but it appears the Japanese ex-Formula One racer will continue to represent his country and marque once again in 2012.
In doing so, a change of teams will also be required.
After spending two years with the Honda-powered KV Racing team, Sato was close to signing on for a third season with the Indianapolis-based squad, despite the Kevin Kalkhoven- and Jimmy Vasser-owned team shifting brands from Honda to Chevrolet.
Sato’s pronouncement that he was no longer bound to Honda for 2012 came as quite a surprise, especially after the Tokyo native spent the bulk of his career as factory-supporter driver in Honda Japan’s top-tier motorsports programs.
As one of the bigger IndyCar free agents, and with a serious deal in place to step away from Honda, SPEED.com has learned a last-minute change of plans by his longtime backer will allow the 34-year-old to remain within the Honda fold.
Of the teams known to be using Honda’s 2.2-liter single-turbo V6 engine, most have filled their respective seats for next season, narrowing Sato’s options.
Target Chip Ganassi/Ganassi Racing has nominated its four drivers, Sam Schmidt Motorsports has a contract in place for its lone driver and A.J. Foyt Racing is getting closer to signing a driver to replace Vitor Meira, but Sato is not expected to be seriously considering that option, leaving Rahal Letterman Lanigan as the most obvious location for Sato to be placed.
On Monday, the two-car RLL team confirmed that amongst other drivers, Sato was one of its most recent visitors.
Provided a deal is signed with Bobby Rahal’s reinvigorated team, Sato could find himself in just the environment he needs to take the next step as an IndyCar driver.
A two-time pole winner in 2011 with the respected Garrett Mothershead as his engineer, Sato made great strides during his sophomore season. With the genial Vasser and KV General Manager Mark Johnson providing Sato with nothing but support and positivity—even when he reverted to his crash-prone ways of 2010—it’s possible that Rahal’s less forgiving, more direct approach could be the tool to help Sato to address his shortcomings.
Speed has never been Sato’s problem, and his consistency has been steadily improving, but with a bit of advisement and pressure from someone like Rahal to improve his decision-making process, earning a breakthrough win should be little more than a formality.
“The first season was all about learning and this season was about applying what I learned,” Sato said in October. “It didn’t always show in the final results, but we showed good potential. Hopefully, next year will be much better.”
With one or two interesting candidates honing in on the second RLL seat, Sato could have the team and teammate to help deliver the results he’s looking for.
Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, covering IndyCar and sports cars. He also contributes to Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
In doing so, a change of teams will also be required.
After spending two years with the Honda-powered KV Racing team, Sato was close to signing on for a third season with the Indianapolis-based squad, despite the Kevin Kalkhoven- and Jimmy Vasser-owned team shifting brands from Honda to Chevrolet.
Sato’s pronouncement that he was no longer bound to Honda for 2012 came as quite a surprise, especially after the Tokyo native spent the bulk of his career as factory-supporter driver in Honda Japan’s top-tier motorsports programs.
As one of the bigger IndyCar free agents, and with a serious deal in place to step away from Honda, SPEED.com has learned a last-minute change of plans by his longtime backer will allow the 34-year-old to remain within the Honda fold.
Of the teams known to be using Honda’s 2.2-liter single-turbo V6 engine, most have filled their respective seats for next season, narrowing Sato’s options.
Target Chip Ganassi/Ganassi Racing has nominated its four drivers, Sam Schmidt Motorsports has a contract in place for its lone driver and A.J. Foyt Racing is getting closer to signing a driver to replace Vitor Meira, but Sato is not expected to be seriously considering that option, leaving Rahal Letterman Lanigan as the most obvious location for Sato to be placed.
On Monday, the two-car RLL team confirmed that amongst other drivers, Sato was one of its most recent visitors.
Provided a deal is signed with Bobby Rahal’s reinvigorated team, Sato could find himself in just the environment he needs to take the next step as an IndyCar driver.
A two-time pole winner in 2011 with the respected Garrett Mothershead as his engineer, Sato made great strides during his sophomore season. With the genial Vasser and KV General Manager Mark Johnson providing Sato with nothing but support and positivity—even when he reverted to his crash-prone ways of 2010—it’s possible that Rahal’s less forgiving, more direct approach could be the tool to help Sato to address his shortcomings.
Speed has never been Sato’s problem, and his consistency has been steadily improving, but with a bit of advisement and pressure from someone like Rahal to improve his decision-making process, earning a breakthrough win should be little more than a formality.
“The first season was all about learning and this season was about applying what I learned,” Sato said in October. “It didn’t always show in the final results, but we showed good potential. Hopefully, next year will be much better.”
With one or two interesting candidates honing in on the second RLL seat, Sato could have the team and teammate to help deliver the results he’s looking for.
Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, covering IndyCar and sports cars. He also contributes to Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
2013 INDY 500 Practice
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