F1: Sato Joins KVRT IndyCar Program

Formula 1

F1: Sato Joins KVRT IndyCar Program

Takuma Sato will not be racing in Formula One this year...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted February 18, 2010 Jerez (ESP)

Takuma Sato had tested for Toro Rosso and was linked with a possible Red Bull reserve role last season. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Takuma Sato has given up his quest to return to F1 and has signed with KV Racing Technology for a full season in the Indy Racing League.

Sato has not raced since the Super Aguri team closed in the middle of the 2008 season, although he later tested for Scuderia Toro Rosso. He appeared at the Japanese GP last year and made it clear that he was actively looking for a ride, although his name wasn’t mentioned much during the winter.

Sato also raced for Jordan and BAR Honda in an F1 career that began in 2002. Ironically his best F1 result was his third place at Indianapolis in the US GP of 2004.

In a statement Sato said: “This is a very exciting time for me and all my supporters. I have really missed racing last year and can’t wait to get started in this new challenge with such a great team. To me, KV Racing is a team with massive potential and great team spirit. With such a great champion as Jimmy leading the team, I am really confident that we will soon be a strong combination.

“I am also really motivated by the chance to be fighting at the front of the field, something I have missed in recent seasons. I want to thank sincerely everyone who has continued to support me through difficult times and look forward to enjoying success together very soon.”

"We are very excited to have been able to put this deal together with Takuma and his group," noted KVRT co-owner Jimmy Vasser. "I can't wait to see what I know will be a extremely fast pace by Taku on the road courses and look forward to working with him and getting him up to speed on the ovals.

“I have no doubt that Taku will be right on the pace immediately. Taku's knowledge and experience will be a great asset and his great sense of humor and easy manner will add positive energy to our team.”

Other Japanese drivers who have moved to US racing after running out of options in Europe include Tora Takagi and Shinji Nakano.

Adam Cooper notched up his 25th season as a racing journalist in 2009. Born in London, England, he saw his first F1 race at age 10 in 1976. He began freelancing for Autosport magazine in 1985 and was on the fulltime staff from 1987-92. He then went freelance again, initially spending two years in Japan before following the 1994 Champcar series from a base in Indianapolis. He has not missed a Grand Prix since Suzuka ‘94, a run that has extended to Abu Dhabi ’09. Adam has written books about Eddie Irvine, Piers Courage and Michael Schumacher and hosts a race preview show on Sirius XM. He has written about F1 for SPEEDtv.com since 2005. Check out Adam's Blog or follow him on Twitter