Think ‘IndyCar’ and many European racing fans think ‘ovals’. But this year’s IndyCar championship features more road and street tracks than ovals as the series becomes ever closer in spirit to its CART heyday.
Takuma Sato articles archive
Takuma Sato
Sato to drive Lotus-Cosworth IndyCar
Posted onTakuma Sato will drive a Lotus-branded IndyCar in certain rounds of this year’s IndyCar championship. The car will be run by KV Racing and is set for its first outing at St Petersburg in Florida in two weeks’ time. The series holds its first round at a new street circuit in Sao Paolo tomorrow. According … Continue reading Sato to drive Lotus-Cosworth IndyCar
No Lotus comeback for Takuma Sato
Posted onBad news for Takuma Sato fans – the Japanese driver’s manager has ruled out him making a return to the cockpit in 2010 with Lotus. Lotus are set to announce their driver line-up on Monday and it’s looking increasingly likely that Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen will be named. Japan had two F1 drivers on … Continue reading No Lotus comeback for Takuma Sato
2008 F1 driver biographies updated
Posted onI’ve updated each of the F1 Fanatic driver biographies with details of their performances in 2008. Links to the new biographies below:
Who should Toro Rosso pick? (Poll)
Posted onToro Rosso will run at least three different drivers in the three-day test at the Jerez circuit starting tomorrow. Sebastien Bourdais will be in the car along with Sebastien Buemi and Takuma Sato. But with Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello and Bruno Senna now potentially available, who should Toro Rosso pick for 2009? Cast your vote … Continue reading Who should Toro Rosso pick? (Poll)
A history of Japanese F1 drivers (Part 2)
Posted onGuest writer Andrew Tsvyk concludes his look at the history of Japanese drivers in Formula 1. See part 1 here. This second instalment covers the likes of Takuma Sato, Kazuki Nakajima and Ukyo Katayama. Plus, the only driver to stand on the podium at his home race.
Is this the 2009 F1 drivers entry list?
Posted onMcLaren, Ferrari, BMW, Williams and Red Bull have their driver line-ups set for 2009. With a few informed guesses we can probably make a decent guess at what the official 2009 F1 driver line-up will look like. Here’s my thoughts, share yours below:
Ten ways to get a drive in F1 (part 1/3)
Posted onBrits on Pole duo Andy & LJH start a three-part look at how the current F1 field got their big breaks in Formula 1. Long-term job security isn’t a concept many would associate with Formula One ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ but at the other end of a driver’s career you’d be forgiven for thinking that a network of … Continue reading Ten ways to get a drive in F1 (part 1/3)
Lucas di Grassi poised to take Renault seat off Nelson Piquet Jnr for 2009
Posted onNew rumours on the 2009 F1 driver market suggest Nelson Piquet Jnr will be dropped by Renault at the end of the year. But Brazilian F1 fans need not despair as Piquet’s countryman Lucas di Grassi is being lined up to replace him. Renault is offering Piquet to Toro Rosso according to Autosport – might … Continue reading Lucas di Grassi poised to take Renault seat off Nelson Piquet Jnr for 2009
2009 F1 drivers: who will be dropped?
Posted onBefore the Italian Grand Prix ITV showed an interview with Sebastien Bourdais. The stress of knowing his F1 drive for 2009 is under threat was plain to see as he started crying at one point. He’s not the only driver who’s place in F1 in 2009 is in doubt: Nelson Piquet Jnr is waiting to … Continue reading 2009 F1 drivers: who will be dropped?
F1 2009 driver rumours: Sato and Sutil
Posted onTwo new rumours surrounding next year’s F1 drivers have emerged. Takuma Sato has been tipped for a comeback and Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella look likely to stay on at Force India for 2009.
2008 half-term driver rankings part 2
Posted onContinuing the driver rankings for the first part of 2008 here is the first part of the top ten. Don?óÔé¼Ôäót miss the top three tomorrow ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ and share your thoughts on the drivers?óÔé¼Ôäó performances below.
2008 half-term driver rankings part 1
Posted onThe half-way point in the season has passed and it’s time to pass judgement on the performances of each of the drivers so far. Who have been the best and worst drivers so far this year? Here’s my verdict – as ever do share yours as we go along.
Not enough seats to go round
Posted onSuper Aguri are gone and the F1 field has shrunk down to 20 cars, increasing the competition for any seats that might become available. That’s bad news for some of the promising drivers squeezed out of the sport who might have hoped to get back in – to say nothing of Takuma Sato and Anthony … Continue reading Not enough seats to go round
Super Aguri leave Formula 1
Posted onAfter months of doubt over their future, Super Aguri team boss Aguri Suzuki has finally bowed to the inevitable and withdrawn his team from Formula 1.
Super Aguri barred from Istanbul track – are Honda killing their B-team?
Posted onAccording to reports a Super Aguri transporter has been barred from getting into the paddock at Istanbul. Autosport claims this is because the team will not be racing next weekend. Honda team principal Nick Fry told the magazine he does not believe the Weigl Group, who recently made a bid for the team, are able … Continue reading Super Aguri barred from Istanbul track – are Honda killing their B-team?
Analysis: F1 team mates in qualifying
Posted onThanks to D Winn and David Watkins who sent in further analysis of how each team’s drivers compare against each other in each part of qualifying, in response to yesterday’s comparison of team mates so far this year. If you want to contribute an article to F1Fanatic, have a look at the guest post section. … Continue reading Analysis: F1 team mates in qualifying
Analysis: F1 team mate battles so far
Posted onThere are three drivers who have beaten their team mates in each qualifying session and race so far this year. So is that because they’re much better than their team mates – or some other reason? Here’s a look at the side-by-side comparisons of the F1 drivers so far this year.
2009 F1 drivers – early predictions
Posted onIt’s early days, but Luca di Montezemolo’s comments last week about Ferrari not needing Fernando Alonso started me thinking about which drivers might be on the move for 2009. On the face of it Montezemolo doesn’t seem to want to change his pairing of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. And after three driver changes in … Continue reading 2009 F1 drivers – early predictions
Spanish GP 2008 qualifying: Raikkonen holds back home hero Alonso
Posted onThe big question after qualifying is this: how much fuel does Fernando Alonso have in his Renault? The Spanish driver in his home race sent the crowd into rapture by snatching provisional pole position, only to lose it at the last to Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.