Sato to partner Button in 2004

Led ZeppF1 · 7 Oct 2003, 06:58 (Ref:742628)

Well, its confirmed. Sato will partner Button at BAR in 2004.

------

BAR confirmed on Tuesday that their Japanese test driver Takuma Sato will race for the team next season. Sato will partner Jenson Button at the Honda-powered squad, replacing Jacques Villeneuve.

http://www.formula1.com/race/news/909/33.html

**Stephen Green** · 7 Oct 2003, 07:03 (Ref:742631)

Jacques WILL be driving in Japan in his last race for BAR

jetsetter · 7 Oct 2003, 07:08 (Ref:742640)

I can't say i'm suprised to see Sato get the nod.

Led ZeppF1 · 7 Oct 2003, 07:09 (Ref:742641)

And hope to have an impresive performance and leave god memories to his fans...

Led ZeppF1 · 7 Oct 2003, 07:11 (Ref:742642)

Yeah, its not surprises at all.

The question, is Sato a good choice for the team?

**Peter Mallett** · 7 Oct 2003, 07:54 (Ref:742677)

Well there goes the 2004 chassis budget then.

bacon sandwich · 7 Oct 2003, 08:05 (Ref:742693)

I have to say that I'm not sure if he's going to get above that middling group of Firman, Wilson, etc who are doing a solid job but not pulling off anything spectacular at the mo, but he did well at the Japanese GP for Jordan and he was pretty special in F3 so we'll see. He's my only claim to fame as he sat in my chair at Brands one day after crashing out so I need him to do reasonably well so I can name drop!!

esorniloc · 7 Oct 2003, 08:21 (Ref:742703)

Well Honda wanted a Japanese driver and they got one!

Can he do what no other Japanese driver has done and win a GP???????????????????????????????

BootsOntheSide · 7 Oct 2003, 08:25 (Ref:742708)

I don't think anyone will be surprised at this. It's been clear for the whole of this seaosn, and msot of last, that JV's days in BAR are numbered, and that they'd already decided to include Sato. Of course, we don't know exactly how well he's done in testing, but I suspect the decision is influenced by Honda pressure.

jetsetter · 7 Oct 2003, 08:37 (Ref:742718)

I just hope that BAR have put funds aside for the inevitable damage that Sato will inflict on the car.

kdr · 7 Oct 2003, 08:56 (Ref:742728)

Quote:

Originally posted by jetsetter
I just hope that BAR have put funds aside for the inevitable damage that Sato will inflict on the car.

don't worry...their engines will probably go "boom!" before he can.

**Peter Mallett** · 7 Oct 2003, 09:01 (Ref:742731)

Well he was the reason Jordan ran an extra year with Honda. But I think for whatever reasons his capabilities don't match his aspirations.

But you never can tell. He's got a second shot so I look forward to seeing him prove me wrong.

**BertMk2** · 7 Oct 2003, 09:08 (Ref:742740)

Well at least we can look forward to some great post race interviews with Taku again next year! Anyone who can come out with quotes like "very slippery oily stuffs" is ok in my book. F1 needs characters so at least JV (one of the few characters out there this year) is being replaced by someone just as quotable (for different reasons but what the hell).

It doesn't look like JV will be in F1 next year which is a shame but I think this decision was made a long time ago - he should have been looking for another dive much earlier in the year.

**Peter Mallett** · 7 Oct 2003, 09:31 (Ref:742751)

Quote:

Originally posted by BertMk2
It doesn't look like JV will be in F1 next year - he should have been looking for another dive much earlier in the year.

I think you are right. But a DRIVE would have been even better.

high contrast · 7 Oct 2003, 10:06 (Ref:742782)

Well Well Well...all the know-it-alls!

I've been telling you this all year!

But you still don't get the full picture...let me tell you AGAIN...Honda payed for his junior racing, he had the best Mugen's in F3. Anyone who beat him or could run with him did a great job, as Sato had all the best and latest engine parts.

Honda are increasing their investment in B.A.R. next year (they'll need to!)

Jordan was just his 'F1 nursery', when EJ said "Enough" Honda bought Sato back (from a certain intervening party) and pushed him into BAR so the Honda engineers had their own Japanese speaker behind the wheel (in Honda's own development chassis).

B.A.R. & Honda are two teams rolled into...er...Two!
Hence the unreliability (IMHO)

I can't remember the 'silly name' of the chap (made up of symbols) who made me a laughing stock here, several months ago, when I dared to suggest that Honda were being Nationalistic wanting a Japanese driver.
Perhaps NOW he'll be brave and honest enough to join us here on this thread and admit that he was just being cynical for the sake of a cheap laugh?

However it remains to be seen if Sato can curb his 'Samuri warrior' genes and drive within his ability, and not at 101% as he still has a tendency to do in testing (Mugello testing accident) If he/they can harness his Japanese 'superhumaness' we are all in for some eventfull performances.

On the Honda front it can only be a matter of time before BAT sell out their BAR share to Honda?

Glen · 7 Oct 2003, 10:15 (Ref:742791)

I thnk Sato was a little unfairly maligned in 2002 - sure he crashed once or twice, but not nearly as often as many would have you believe. Put it this way, he impressed me more than Massa, who always looked just about to crash.

**Peter Mallett** · 7 Oct 2003, 10:16 (Ref:742792)

I'd put them in the same category but that's my opinion. I don't recall Massa driving into his team mate though.

Glen · 7 Oct 2003, 10:19 (Ref:742795)

Yea that was a particularly daft one - but Massa did manage something almost as silly at the same race.

DriverT · 7 Oct 2003, 10:24 (Ref:742799)

Hmmm I agree with BAR's decision, but couldn't they get anyone better than Sato?

**BertMk2** · 7 Oct 2003, 10:24 (Ref:742803)

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Mallett
I think you are right. But a DRIVE would have been even better.

Ooops

**Peter Mallett** · 7 Oct 2003, 10:27 (Ref:742807)

Glen,

Quite possibly but only "almost". Its all relative really.

Working as I do in the international sector I get to see jingoism from all sides. It always galls me that results and professionalism are sacrificed on the alter of nationality.

IMHO there are more deserving and capable drivers out there than Sato even if he is a nice bloke, but as has been pointed out, his excellent F3 season was allegedly underwritten by Honda and therefore did we see the real talent or just what money could provide?

Brandy_snap · 7 Oct 2003, 10:45 (Ref:742816)

Thing is will he be better in BAR than when he was at Jordan? And the answer to will he win any races? No, unless it rains .... (e.g. see Fisi in Brazil)

Mr V · 7 Oct 2003, 10:50 (Ref:742817)

Quote:

Originally posted by high contrast

I can't remember the 'silly name' of the chap (made up of symbols) who made me a laughing stock here,

Oh, you mean ®îjñtjûh . Don't worry, he's still about, but under a more pronouncable name now

Korr · 7 Oct 2003, 10:52 (Ref:742819)

Quote:

IMHO there are more deserving and capable drivers out there than Sato even if he is a nice bloke, but as has been pointed out, his excellent F3 season was allegedly underwritten by Honda and therefore did we see the real talent or just what money could provide?

BAR has been underwritten by Honda, and I don't see the stellar results that they had with British F3 and Sato! I don't buy the notion that money and fancy car bits won him the British F3 title the second year he tried for it. He may not be an ultra-talent, but he's more deserving of a ride than a few people that are currently on the grid.

He did fairly well given the Garbage Truck Nee F1 Race Car that was last year's Jordan. Maybe he will do a bit better in a proper racing car.

This is not really news. I think most of us new last year. But good for him! I wish I had factory support to get an F1 ride. Anyone know the number for Trabant's HQ?

**Peter Mallett** · 7 Oct 2003, 10:55 (Ref:742822)

Korr.

I did say "allegedly".

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Button and Sato	Born Racer	Formula One	49	19 Apr 2005 21:07
Sato v Button	Frank_White	Formula One	50	8 Mar 2004 04:41
Button Vs Sato?	ralf fan	Formula One	28	15 Dec 2003 23:30
Who should BAR keep to partner Jenson Button next year?	Yoong Montoya	Formula One	13	14 Aug 2002 20:14