Takuma and Honda look forward to Japan
What a Combination
By Phil Giles
October 7 2002
Jordan Driver Takuma Sato can't wait for this weekend Japanese Grand Prix. The Jordan number two hasn't driven on home soil since he came to the UK to pursue his racing career.
"For me this will be the most exciting Grand Prix of the year
because it is my home circuit," said Sato. "It is the first time this has ever
happened to me because until now my racing has been based in Europe.
"Suzuka was the first place I ever saw a racing car or had any contact with
motor racing. The first motor race I saw was in 1987 at Suzuka. I was a 10
year-old boy and it was like a "Mega-Shock" when I first saw Formula 1 cars!
"It was an amazing experience and I wanted to do it myself, but unfortunately
my parents had no idea about motor racing."
"My heart was always in F1, but I never had the chance to enter racing because
you need outside help from a lot of people. Finally, ten years later, I seized
an opportunity and went to the Suzuka Racing School. I was 20 years old, which
was the upper age limit, and I was so pleased to grab that last chance.
"Fortunately I was the fastest and won a scholarship which started my racing
career. So five years later, I am at long last returning to Suzuka as a
Formula 1 driver! It is the most exciting year of my life.
"Suzuka is the centre of my world and just so awesome for me. I want to enjoy
the last Grand Prix of 2002 and am expecting the fan support to be huge! If I
enjoy the race then so will the fans. I want to get my best result of the
season here."
Meanwhile, Honda will unveil their
last development of the RA002E powerplant this weekend.
'This year has seen an aggressive development programme for the RA002E engine
and we've continued that right up until the last race, we're running a
higher spec unit at the Japanese Grand Prix and I'm optimistic that all four
Honda-powered drivers will run competitively, I hope we'll be able to
end the 2002 season on a high."
said Shuhei Nakamoto, Race
and Test Team Manager, Honda Racing Development.
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