Indy win helps 'correct' risky 2012 move - Sato
Sunday, 28 May 2017
By Laurence Foster / Images by Williams/Jose Rubio/Sutton/LAT
Takuma Sato says his 2017 Indianapolis 500 victory for Andretti Autosport is redemption for crashing out five years ago after an attempted last-lap pass on eventual winner Dario Franchitti.
2012, Franchitti took the lead from his Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon on the penultimate lap, with Sato's Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing car following him through into second place. On the final lap, Sato attempted a pass on Franchitti in Turn 1, but spun and hit the wall (pictured below). Franchitti continued and won the race, with Dixon second.
"I do feel after 2012 that I really needed to correct something I left over," said the 40-year-old Japanese. "Today I was so happy that I made it and won in a good move, and I have to thank Michael [Andretti] for that.
"In 2012, going into Turn 1 with Dario was a big risk. But you always learn something from those situations, and this time we proved we had what it takes. When Helio [Castroneves] was coming with three laps to go, on a big charge into Turn 1, we went side-by-side, but this time I ended up still pointing in the right direction and still leading. It was job done, and the last two laps the car worked beautifully."
In seven previous Indy 500s, Sato's best start was 10th in 2011, with a best finish of 13th in 2013 and '15. This year – his first with Andretti – he qualified fourth, led 17 laps, including the final six, and set the race's fastest lap at 226.190mph.
"This whole month at Indy, we've worked seamlessly with my teammates through practice and qualifying," he said. "In the race, I just got on with my job, believed in the car, had fantastic pit stops from my crew, and we got it done. Whether it's the first or the eight attempt, this is the best place to win a race. It's the history, the fans going crazy – it's just superb and I love this place."
MILLER: Job done for Takuma Sato
Sunday, 28 May 2017
By Robin Miller / Images by IMS Photo, Michael Levitt/LAT
His creed has always been "no attack, no chance," but too often in his roller-coaster career it's been too much attack and end up in wall. His nickname could be "I'm Sorry."
So when Helio Castroneves drafted past Takuma Sato for the lead with six laps left in Sunday's 101st Indianapolis 500, you knew one of two things was going to happen: Either he was going to reclaim the top spot with a ballsy pass or he was going to crash trying.
The same scenario unfolded in 2012 when Sato tried to pass Dario Franchitti for the win on the last lap and wound up hitting the wall in Turn 1.
But on Sunday this diminutive daredevil from Tokyo made the biggest and best move of his life – an outside pass going into Turn 1 on Lap 195 that brought the crowd to its feet, restored a pulse to Honda's engineers and exorcised years' worth of demons for Sato.
He captured the 101st Indianapolis 500 in swashbuckling style and got to say his favorite line on the cool-off lap: "Job done."
Sato's smile said it all in Victory Lane. At age 40, driving for his fourth different team in eight years, he'd scored the biggest win of his life and the biggest ever for a Japanese driver.
"It's such a privilege to win here, whether it was your first or eighth time here or whether you had drama in the past, it really doesn't matter," he said. "Winning today is all that matters and it's just an incredible feeling.
"Today I was so happy that I made it and won with a good move."
Michael Andretti, who traded outside passes for the lead in Turn 1 with Rick Mears in 1991, watched Sato's winning move in awe and likely with one eye closed.
"When I was here they had the apron, the track was wider and it was easier," said Andretti, who led 431 laps but never won as a driver but now has five victories as a car owner.
"But Taku pulled it off and it was amazing. He drove so well today and I'm so proud of him."
In his inaugural season with A.J. Foyt in 2013, Sato looked like he'd finally smoothed out and was going to mesh that speed with results. He won at Long Beach, finished second in Brazil and was leading the points before free-falling to 17th in the final standings.
The past three years had been hits and misses, literally and figuratively, and it looked like the end of the road when A.J. switched to Chevrolet. But Honda came to the rescue and placed its national treasure with Andretti Autosport.
But after crashing in practice during the season opener at St. Pete it looked like same story, different year, although Andretti claims he wasn't thinking the worst.
"Bryan [Herta] and I sat down with Takuma after that and after that he qualified fifth and drove a good race (finishing fifth)," Andretti said.
"My impression has always been that he's a fast driver who's never really been on a great team and have the support we provide him. He's a good guy and he's technically savvy and he's fit right into this team."
The coolest thing about Sato as a person is his likeability. He's unfailingly polite and always faces the music no matter how tough it's been some days. But what really rang true on Sunday as he drove into Victory Lane was the response he got from the crowd. They cheered his spirit and go-for-it mentality as much as the result.
"I love this place and not just because of winning," said Sato, who was on the F1 podium here in 2004. "The fans are so appreciative and I respect them. They give me great speed and confidence. It's a fantastic feeling."
He already had hero status in Japan with the fans and Honda of Japan, but he elevated his stature even more Sunday with American Honda and Honda Performance Development. Honda's drivers dominated the race, leading 184 of the first 195 laps as Andretti often ran 1-2-3 before Ryan Hunter-Reay and Fernando Alonso blew up.
It was crunch time and a three-time Indy 500 winner was suddenly leading with six laps to go over a driver that had always been fast and furious but not able to close the deal.
That's when Sato delivered. Job done.
Edited by Rad-oh-yeah?, 29 May 2017 - 03:27.
