INDIANAPOLIS — Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato was one of the fastest drivers during testing for the upcoming Greatest Spectacle in Racing during testing Wednesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Sato, 49, is driving the No. 75 machine for Rahal Lanigan Racing, the team for which he won his second 500 in 2020.
At age 49, the Japanese driver is among the veterans of the sport, preparing for what would be his 17th start in the Indianapolis 500.
“Very productive two days. I think it’s a statement to every single team was a similar feeling that fortunate to have a good weather,” Sato said. “It’s been a little bit, like, nervous in overnight, torrential rain. Really good condition. IMS did a good thing to prepare for us. Exit turn two very good. We knew it from test. It’s been a pleasure to come back IMS and make us really happy.
“In terms of our team, over the course of the winter, I think the team did a really, really good job. Now four cars, meticulous quality control, build spec is very, very good. Everybody is happy.
Me specifically, back in the car after six months absent, still happy place to be. Yeah, it’s been a very positive two days.”
Despite having only a ride for the Indy 500 this year, Sato says experience matters at Indianapolis.
“Experience does matter in halfway, shall we say,” Sato said. “Plus we have this two-day open test, five days in practice before the qualification, which you don’t have luxury of the practice for any other single weekend.
“If we had similar, I think anybody came back as a spot race I think can be more competitive. But Indy 500 is doable because of that.”
Sato carries confidence into the month of May.
“All in all I think we have a very good the people together. Have a great shot hopefully once again for this year. I have no worry about it,” Sato said. “Yes, I would say I’m really happy, happier than the last few seasons. We were able to build very fast car to do that in single lap or by yourself in leading the pack.
“Certainly our weakest was in the race. Certainly not the strongest car. From that point of view we came here with kind of different philosophy,” said Sato, who finished ninth last year. “Super happy to see that is starting to working. We are still halfway to what we want, but I think it’s certainly much better. In the pack already day two, not even May yet, I think this is the best preparation I ever had from the years with Rahal.”
