Takuma Sato Discusses Why the Indy 500 Is the Most Special Race and His Sole Focus on Achieving a Third Victory

      James Black via IndyCar

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      Achieving victory at the Indianapolis 500 once is a remarkable accomplishment that can make a person a legend in the American open-wheel racing scene. Winning it twice is a feat that exceeds the aspirations of most drivers. However, Takuma Sato aims to enjoy that milk for a third time.

      The inaugural Japanese driver to triumph in the Indy 500 spoke with select media, including The Drive, in a round table arranged by Honda ahead of the race’s 110th edition, displaying a reflective demeanor.

      Sato kicked off the interview by reminiscing about a moment from the early 1980s that has remained vivid in his memory. He recounted attending his first race, the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, in 1987, but noted that a couple of years earlier—when he was around six or seven—he turned the rotary dial on his television to TBS and saw a car.

      “The car went extremely fast,” he recalled with a smile, “and that wasn’t Formula 1. That must be the Indy 500.”

      Karl Zemlin via IndyCar

      This was his first glimpse of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, and even though he didn’t fully comprehend the race he was witnessing at that moment, it was the initial step toward a path that would ultimately engrave his name in history.

      Those acquainted with Sato’s journey in motorsport understand that Indianapolis wasn’t his first entry into the racing world; others like Satoru Nakajima and Aguri Suzuki had already paved the way to Formula 1, along with events like the Japanese Grand Prix. Born in Tokyo, Sato’s enduring relationship with Honda began when he entered in 2002 with Jordan, followed by stints at BAR and Super Aguri, achieving his best finish of third at the 2004 US Grand Prix. For six years, he traveled to some of the world’s most iconic F1 events. Yet, when circumstance finally brought Sato to Speedway, Indiana, the scale of the venue was both striking and elusive.

      “My first Indy 500, I didn’t really grasp what the Indy 500 was,” Sato confessed. “I knew it was the biggest racing event in the world, but the essence and energy of it” took time to evolve in his understanding. It required multiple experiences at the 2.5-mile oval for Sato to fully appreciate the race’s significance and his role in continuing its legacy.

      “In my third [Indy 500] in 2012, in turn 1 on the last lap, that was definitely a turning point in my racing career,” he reflected, referring to a last-lap move he attempted against leader Dario Franchitti that ultimately ended in a wall collision.

      “We were competing strongly for the win, but we couldn’t claim victory. [With] the challenges of this race, everything needs to align perfectly.”

      Over time, he has come to value the small details that contribute to the race's grandeur.

      “It’s always nice to walk through Gasoline Alley to get into the pit lane, listening to the crowd—almost 300,000 people,” he shared. “That is an incredible feeling. Nothing compares to it.

      “I’ve attended the Japanese Grand Prix, the Nürburgring, Spa-Francorchamps, and Monte Carlo in Formula 1, and while each iconic event is special, the Indy 500 is unlike any other. It’s rooted in history and tradition, and the excitement of the fans is unmatched.”

      Andy Lyons via Getty

      Certainly, Sato cherishes both victories at the 500. However, the circumstances surrounding his 2020 win left him feeling as if he missed a vital aspect of the victory experience.

      “It was somewhat sad. Lonely. Quiet,” Sato reflected on that pandemic-era triumph. “There weren’t 350,000 people.”

      This is precisely why he continues to return. While a win for his No. 75 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team would be a meaningful reward for their hard work, a part of Sato personally yearns for the crowd’s roar.

      “I want to experience that moment when I cross the finish line under the checkered flag, flat-out. Then I can feel the incredible energy from the fans. That was absent in 2020.

      “That’s why I am eager to return and pursue number three.”

      His prospects this year look promising. Sato will start from row four, occupying the 12th position when the green flag waves. Two drivers have previously won the 500 from the 12th spot on the grid. How special would it be if Sato secured his third victory?

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