Sakon Yamamoto profile

By nGO
December 28 2006

Sakon Yamamoto had his first taste of F1 last year, showing good pace on Friday for Jordan. After a shakey start at Super Aguri, he finished the season strongly making it to the end in his last three races. In 2007 he will become Super Aguri's 2nd test driver.

Sakon Yamamoto's racing career spans across Europe and Japan, beginning at the age of 12. He spent a quite some years racing karts before graduating onto the all Japan formula 3 Championship in 2001 where he finished 4th. During that year Yamamoto also competed against Sato briefly in Marlboro Masters and a few British F3 races but did not have the same success as his compatriot.

Sakon Yamamoto stayed in Europe for the next few years competing in the various F3 championships although he failed to make an impact. He returned to Japan racing in the Japan F3 championship again, the highlight of his season being a single win. The following year Yamamoto stepped up to Formula Nippon as well as racing in Super GT where he managed one victory. He also tested on Friday for Jordan in Suzuka, where he lapped comparatively fast times.

For 2006 Yamamoto was released from his other driving duties to become Super Aguri's third driver starting from the British grand prix. His first four grand prix did not end well with him failing to finish in all of them. China proved to be a turning point where he made it to the end, and did so again in Japan. Brazil was most memorable, not only did he go the distance, he also set the 7th fastest lap of the race.

In 2007 Sakon Yamamoto will continue working for Super Aguri but as their second test driver.