Sato relishing F1 global challenge<\/p>\n
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Sepang, Malaysia<\/p>\n
With Indian Narain Karthikeyan making his debut in 2005's
\nFormula One Grand Prix Championship, Takuma Sato believes Asian
\ndrivers are gearing up for the opportunity to compete in the
\nworld's most prestigious motorsport championship.<\/p>\n
\"Formula One has been (part) of the European culture ... and
\nwe are challenging for it,\" said the 28-year-old BAR Honda driver
\nin an interview on the sidelines of last weekend's Malaysian
\nGrand Prix in Sepang.<\/p>\n
\"Because we don't have a long history, we have to catch up
\nwith them.\"<\/p>\n
The Japanese and the team's ace driver Jenson Button were
\ninterviewed by The Jakarta Post, Kompas daily and Bola sports
\ntabloid, who were invited to the event by PT BAT Indonesia, in
\nbetween their practice sessions.<\/p>\n
He pointed to the success of Asians in other sports for
\ninspiration.<\/p>\n
\"Look at the Olympics, everybody ... knows that we can be
\ncompetitive against the rest of the world,\" he said, referring to
\nthe medal haul of China and Japan at the 2004 Olympic Games in
\nAthens.<\/p>\n
\"If we can do anything, it's going to make history. That's
\ngreat motivation. We have to keep trying and should be able
\nto ... (inspire) other young Asian drivers to follow us. That's
\nwhat we have to do.\"<\/p>\n
Sato said he loved motorsports from childhood and his interest
\ngrew when his parents took him to watch the F1 race at the Suzuka
\ncircuit at age 10.<\/p>\n
He began to take the sport seriously and showed his potential
\nwhen he won the national karting championship, which earned him a
\nscholarship to the Honda Suzuka Racing Schools. The scholarship
\nincluded a fully paid drive in the 1998 All-Japan Formula 3
\nchampionship.<\/p>\n
Sato acknowledged that realizing his racing dream in Japan, a
\ncountry with an established motor racing circuit, was probably
\nsmoother than Narain's journey.<\/p>\n
\"Luckily, Japan has a great motorsport industry so I was able
\nto bring up (sic) to the F1 level. But Narain, he started out
\nwith a scholarship with junior Formula Asia. He came to Europe
\n(to compete) against the continent's drivers.<\/p>\n
\"So obviously, it's very encouraging to see that.\"<\/p>\n
Karthikeyan of Jordan Grand Prix is the first Indian to drive
\nin the championship.<\/p>\n
Apart from several Japanese drivers, another Asian F1 pioneer
\nwas Malaysia's Alex Yoong, who had an unsuccessful stint with
\nMinardi in 2001 and 2002.<\/p>\n
While emphasizing the importance of sponsorship in getting
\ncareers moving, Sato also pointed to the need for young drivers
\nto prove their determination in order to make it to F1.<\/p>\n
\"Sponsorship shouldn't be a problem. Basically, you have to
\nshow ability at the F1 level. We have to go to Europe first. We
\nhave to challenge European drivers. If you can give a strong
\nshowing, F1 will look at you and will give you an opportunity for
\ntesting ... and you are then making a step forward.\"<\/p>\n
Sato entered European races in 1999. After two years of so-so
\nresults, he had an outstanding 2001, winning the British F3 and
\nbecoming the BAR test driver.<\/p>\n
His F1 race debut came the following season with Jordan.<\/p>\n
He struggled to come to grips with his car, but everything
\ncame together on home soil at the Japanese Grand Prix, where he
\ngrabbed fifth and scored two points for the team.<\/p>\n
He made steady progress through the ranks and chose to rejoin
\nBAR Honda on a three-year contract.<\/p>\n
Sato teamed up with Englishman Button for second place in the
\nconstructors' championship last year, but the Japanese said he
\nwas better prepared for the 2005 season.<\/p>\n
\"This is my third season in F1. Generally speaking, I'm more
\nconfident now that we have been in the same team in two
\nconsecutive years,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We have to stick together to bring BAR Honda forward. Jenson
\nwants to win. I want to win. We will never stop even if it's a
\ndifficult season.\"<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the team has had a bumpy ride so far this
\nseason.<\/p>\n
With no chance of a high placing, they quit before the finish
\nline in the Malaysian Grand Prix in a ploy to be able to use new
\nengines in Sepang without incurring penalties.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, it did not count for much.<\/p>\n
Sato did not start in Sepang due to a fever. His replacement,
\nAnthony Davidson, making his F1 debut, exited the race early on
\ndue to an oil leak. Button, also plagued by car problems, soon
\nfollowed.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, there are 17 more races this season, with the
\nBahrain Grand Prix on April 3.<\/p>",
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