Sato relishing F1 global challenge

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Sepang, Malaysia

With Indian Narain Karthikeyan making his debut in 2005's Formula One Grand Prix Championship, Takuma Sato believes Asian drivers are gearing up for the opportunity to compete in the world's most prestigious motorsport championship.

"Formula One has been (part) of the European culture ... and we are challenging for it," said the 28-year-old BAR Honda driver in an interview on the sidelines of last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang.

"Because we don't have a long history, we have to catch up with them."

The Japanese and the team's ace driver Jenson Button were interviewed by The Jakarta Post, Kompas daily and Bola sports tabloid, who were invited to the event by PT BAT Indonesia, in between their practice sessions.

He pointed to the success of Asians in other sports for inspiration.

"Look at the Olympics, everybody ... knows that we can be competitive against the rest of the world," he said, referring to the medal haul of China and Japan at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

"If we can do anything, it's going to make history. That's great motivation. We have to keep trying and should be able to ... (inspire) other young Asian drivers to follow us. That's what we have to do."

Sato said he loved motorsports from childhood and his interest grew when his parents took him to watch the F1 race at the Suzuka circuit at age 10.

He began to take the sport seriously and showed his potential when he won the national karting championship, which earned him a scholarship to the Honda Suzuka Racing Schools. The scholarship included a fully paid drive in the 1998 All-Japan Formula 3 championship.

Sato acknowledged that realizing his racing dream in Japan, a country with an established motor racing circuit, was probably smoother than Narain's journey.

"Luckily, Japan has a great motorsport industry so I was able to bring up (sic) to the F1 level. But Narain, he started out with a scholarship with junior Formula Asia. He came to Europe (to compete) against the continent's drivers.

"So obviously, it's very encouraging to see that."

Karthikeyan of Jordan Grand Prix is the first Indian to drive in the championship.

Apart from several Japanese drivers, another Asian F1 pioneer was Malaysia's Alex Yoong, who had an unsuccessful stint with Minardi in 2001 and 2002.

While emphasizing the importance of sponsorship in getting careers moving, Sato also pointed to the need for young drivers to prove their determination in order to make it to F1.

"Sponsorship shouldn't be a problem. Basically, you have to show ability at the F1 level. We have to go to Europe first. We have to challenge European drivers. If you can give a strong showing, F1 will look at you and will give you an opportunity for testing ... and you are then making a step forward."

Sato entered European races in 1999. After two years of so-so results, he had an outstanding 2001, winning the British F3 and becoming the BAR test driver.

His F1 race debut came the following season with Jordan.

He struggled to come to grips with his car, but everything came together on home soil at the Japanese Grand Prix, where he grabbed fifth and scored two points for the team.

He made steady progress through the ranks and chose to rejoin BAR Honda on a three-year contract.

Sato teamed up with Englishman Button for second place in the constructors' championship last year, but the Japanese said he was better prepared for the 2005 season.

"This is my third season in F1. Generally speaking, I'm more confident now that we have been in the same team in two consecutive years," he said.

"We have to stick together to bring BAR Honda forward. Jenson wants to win. I want to win. We will never stop even if it's a difficult season."

Unfortunately, the team has had a bumpy ride so far this season.

With no chance of a high placing, they quit before the finish line in the Malaysian Grand Prix in a ploy to be able to use new engines in Sepang without incurring penalties.

Ultimately, it did not count for much.

Sato did not start in Sepang due to a fever. His replacement, Anthony Davidson, making his F1 debut, exited the race early on due to an oil leak. Button, also plagued by car problems, soon followed.

Thankfully, there are 17 more races this season, with the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 3.