INDIANAPOLIS — Nearly 20 years ago, Takuma Sato was standing on the podium of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Sato, then 27, had never been on the podium of a Formula 1 race before that moment, and it was his first and only time finishing in the top three of an F1 race. Despite just one full-time season in F1 under his belt back then, Sato had already achieved four finishes in the points (a finish of eighth place or higher at the time) with two having come in his home race in Japan.
"It was an unbelievable day. I still remember like yesterday," Sato said, reminiscing about his third place finish on that warm June day in 2004. "The view from the podium was just unreal. The spectators, as far as I could see, 20,000 people, just the energy moving, a sensation just bubbling around."
It was a special day for Sato, and it's one he remembers quite fondly. Even though his BAR Honda 006 chassis had numerous technical challenges, Sato said it was still a quick car, and the podium finish was all that more rewarding when he saw his crew members celebrating.
"I could see the boys were so relieved we achieved a podium for me at least at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, here," Sato said.
Sato never achieved another Formula 1 podium, but his success at Indianapolis continued.
Now fast forward into the year 2024. Sato, now 47, enters his 15th Indianapolis 500 as a two-time winner of the race in a one-off entry with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
He is, by all accounts, now considered an Indianapolis 500 legend. However, it is no secret that his time behind the wheel of an IndyCar is nearing its end. Sato's last full-time season came in 2022. He ran an oval-only schedule for Chip Ganassi Racing last year and is only entered in the 500 this year.
While he's not willing to commit to a full-time season anymore, Sato says he is still motivated to come back and race the 500 as long as he's given a ride.
"As long as I have opportunity, I'd like to participate in this opportunity," Sato said.
Sato's overall demeanor during this year's race is one of gratefulness and humility. During media day, Sato said he felt very thankful for everyone who helped him reach 15 Indianapolis 500s. He mentioned all of his former car owners by name, sang their praises and said he "never would have imagined" himself as an Indianapolis 500 legend.
Additionally, since scaling back his driving schedule, Sato has found a lot of joy in mentoring young IndyCar drivers, while also inspiring the next generation of Japanese drivers to follow their dreams of racing in F1 or at Indianapolis.
"I'm more happy a little bit focusing for a few races and then do something else for using my energy and the experience to helping out with," Sato said. "For example, like a young driver, new generation, particularly I have a role with (Honda) this year starting officially working with them."
Sato qualified 10th for Sunday's race, while his teammates Graham Rahal, Christian Lundgaard and Pietro Fittipaldi start from the final two rows. While there's only so much the teams can do to make the cars more equal, Sato's "no attack, no chance" driving style has left its mark on his younger teammates.
"If he's loose or if he's understeer, he doesn't lift. Sometimes it's a little wild. I'd even say in a practice session, there's no limits. He just sends it," Lundgaard said of Sato. "In the end, I'm just gaining the experience that I can from him."
"He's super aggressive. He takes a lot of risk. But he needs a certain feeling from the car to be able to do that. It's important for me to learn that," Pietro Fittipaldi said.
Whenever Sato's driving career does come to an end, his impact on the race and the Speedway will be felt for generations to come.
