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What was Texan A.J. Foyt thinking when he hired Takuma Sato to drive his IndyCar in this year's IZOD IndyCar Series? A.J. must have been particularly inspired that day because after four rounds this year, Sato-San is leading the series' point standings!
Don't imagine the ever-smiling Japanese driver is leading the championship by just pure luck or because he benefitted from the leaders' misfortunes. No, no; Takuma is there because of his great driving skills, and because of the professionalism and dedication of the crewmembers at Foyt Racing.
I think the Sato/Foyt combination has what's lacking at Penske Racing this season: a perfect package. Salot is a fast driver who is well supported by a drilled team that can execute slick pit stops and plan great race strategies.
However, things have not been that easy for the likeable Japanese. Most IndyCar fans and experts were fully aware that Sato carried a strong reputation as a wild driver from his Formula 1 days, and from his beginnings in North America.
Sato is undoubtedly fast, but he was also capable of the worst. His propensity to wreck cars at great speed made the team owners go crazy!
It seemed last year that a change started to operate within Sato. He went off the track less often, and he slowly began to run with the leaders, surprisingly on both the road courses and the ovals.
Most people will sadly remember his crash at the end of last year's Indy 500; the most prestigious race of all in IndyCar racing. However, that day Sato made a mistake that most drivers -- even the most talented -- will do one day during their career when the stakes are extremely high. I think on that occasion he made the right decision in trying to pass race leader Dario Franchitti in Corner 1.
For me, a new Sato has arrived: He now knows to control his feelings and to make the right calls. He now knows that it is better to settle down in certain sitatuations and to finish the race and score valuable points.
This is what differentiates great champions from other good drivers. Maybe that's what the legendary A.J. Foyt managed to pass on to his new driver from the Rising Sun.
Don't imagine the ever-smiling Japanese driver is leading the championship by just pure luck or because he benefitted from the leaders' misfortunes. No, no; Takuma is there because of his great driving skills, and because of the professionalism and dedication of the crewmembers at Foyt Racing.
I think the Sato/Foyt combination has what's lacking at Penske Racing this season: a perfect package. Salot is a fast driver who is well supported by a drilled team that can execute slick pit stops and plan great race strategies.
However, things have not been that easy for the likeable Japanese. Most IndyCar fans and experts were fully aware that Sato carried a strong reputation as a wild driver from his Formula 1 days, and from his beginnings in North America.
Sato is undoubtedly fast, but he was also capable of the worst. His propensity to wreck cars at great speed made the team owners go crazy!
It seemed last year that a change started to operate within Sato. He went off the track less often, and he slowly began to run with the leaders, surprisingly on both the road courses and the ovals.
Most people will sadly remember his crash at the end of last year's Indy 500; the most prestigious race of all in IndyCar racing. However, that day Sato made a mistake that most drivers -- even the most talented -- will do one day during their career when the stakes are extremely high. I think on that occasion he made the right decision in trying to pass race leader Dario Franchitti in Corner 1.
For me, a new Sato has arrived: He now knows to control his feelings and to make the right calls. He now knows that it is better to settle down in certain sitatuations and to finish the race and score valuable points.
This is what differentiates great champions from other good drivers. Maybe that's what the legendary A.J. Foyt managed to pass on to his new driver from the Rising Sun.
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| Photo: LAT/IndyCar |