SAF1 TEAM 2007 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX PREVIEW - An Interview
with Takuma Sato, Car 22
Qu: Takuma, we have reached the final leg of the
2007 season, what has been the highlight of your year so far?
TS: It is difficult to pick just one as there have been so
many special moments, but I suppose that Barcelona and Montreal
would be the two I’d choose. Not only because we scored
our first Championship points there, but also because of the
racing and the great overtaking moments I had. It was a great
team effort at both races.
Qu: The 15th round of the Championship is the Japanese
Grand Prix. What are you hoping the Fuji Speedway will provide
the drivers?
TS: I am excited to be going back to Japan and to see this
new generation of racing emerging. I have never raced in Fuji
except when I was cycling, but this is a very famous circuit
and its 1.5 kilometre long straight with heavy braking at
the end could provide some great overtaking opportunities.
Fuji has always provided exciting racing in other categories,
so I am sure that we shall have a great Formula One Grand
Prix.
Qu: What aspects of Fuji are you most looking forward
to?
TS: Fuji is close to Tokyo, where I am from, and it is set
in the beautiful scenery of the mountains and lakes. I often
went driving and cycling there when I raced bikes and it is
a good ‘hilly’ training spot. The weather can
be inconsistent as it is in the mountains, but on a clear
day the view of Mount Fuji is amazing.
Qu: What would you have said at the start of this
season if someone told you that SUPER AGURI F1 TEAM would
be heading to Japan in 7th place in the Constructors’
Championship?
TS: I could not have expected this ‘gift’ result!
It is the hard work by our team and great racing from the
other F1 teams that has made this happen. We have gone beyond
our expectations, but we were always aiming high following
our 10th position result in Brazil last year. We came into
this season with high motivation and I am so pleased that
we have achieved our target.
Qu: It was recently announced that the Japanese Grand
Prix will alternate between the Suzuka circuit and the Fuji
Speedway from 2009, what are your thoughts on this?
TS: Personally, I have a good history with Suzuka and so
I am glad to hear that we will be going back there in 2009.
But it is also great for the fans to have two venues in Japan
for the Grand Prix and this will make it exciting. This is
a new generation of F1 racing and I am sure that it will be
a great success.
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