Successful as a Japanese in the USA and on the road with an English car
The Japanese driver Takuma Sato loves Indianapolis and vice versa. In 2004, Sato finished third on the podium for the only time at the US F1 GP in Indianapolis.
13 years later, he even stood at the top when he became the first Asian ever to win the prestigious "Indy 500" last year. The small Japanese man, very likeable in his manner, like so many Japanese, invited us to England for an interview in 2004. We met in a small pub near London. He didn't arrive in a super sports car, but in a Mini, almost like Mr. Bean. His enthusiasm for the little Englishman was so great that he was happy to be photographed in it, despite all his sponsor obligations.
That year, he drove the F1 from the British American Racing Team with Jensen Button and was therefore not tied to a manufacturer at all. In 2017, after many years, his big breakthrough finally came and he was even able to win the race in the legendary pasta pot against the sensational rookie Fernando Alonso. Alonso, who had to retire in seventh place with engine damage just 21 laps from the end, joked at the awards ceremony: "Next year I want your engine, Takuma." He did not mean the four-cylinder engine from the Mini, of course, but the 2.2-liter V6 turbo from Honda.
