Latest news with #TakumaSato
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Can Kakunoshin Ohta's switch to IndyCar emulate Alex Palou's success?
In last month's Indianapolis 500, Takuma Sato demonstrated once again that age is a mere number as he led a significant number of laps on his way to ninth place. Indeed, only the smallest of braking misjudgements on pitlane cost him a shot at a third victory at the Speedway. But, no matter how impressive his run at the wheel of a one-off additional Honda-powered Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing car at Indy, in which he led a field-high 51 laps, there's no escaping the fact that 48-year-old Sato is approaching the twilight of his career. Advertisement Since 2002, thanks largely to the efforts of engine supplier Honda, there has always been at least one Japanese driver on the grid for the 500. However, for years, there was no clear candidate to take over the baton from Sato, who made his debut way back in 2010 after the collapse of the Super Aguri team brought his Formula 1 career to a premature end. Read Also: Former F1 racer Sato lands executive advisor role at Honda That has changed in the last six months or so with Super Formula driver Kakunoshin Ohta emerging as someone who could, one day, keep the Japanese flame at Indy burning. Those who follow Super Formula closely will need no introduction to Ohta, who has scored five victories in the single-seater series for the Honda-powered Dandelion Racing team in the last 18 months or so and is right in the thick of this year's title battle. Advertisement Off the back of those performances, as well as some strong form in Super GT, Ohta was selected by Honda to participate in three races in the IMSA SportsCar Championship at the wheel of a Meyer Shank Racing Acura LMDh, beginning with the Daytona 24 Hours. Kakunoshin Ohta, DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING Kakunoshin Ohta, DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING But it isn't just his on-track abilities that convinced Honda to support Ohta to become the first Japanese driver to race at the top-level in the United States since Sato 15 years ago. As HRC president Koji Watanabe explained in an exclusive interview with Autosport, Ohta's strong desire to spread his wings beyond Japan – far from universal among Super Formula drivers – and his English ability, further honed driving Mercedes GT3 machinery for Hong Kong outfit Craft-Bamboo Racing in recent times, were also key factors. Advertisement 'Especially those drivers who are young and express a strong desire to race abroad, we want to support them in doing so,' Watanabe told "I was there at Daytona so I could see his driving and his communication with the team with my own eyes, and he was communicating with the team in the way I had hoped" Koji Watanabe 'Ohta in particular has shown his skills and that he has a tremendous amount of margin to grow, which means we have high expectations of him. He is also fluent in English and very good at communicating with the team, both on the technical side and private conversation. 'He has always indicated a strong desire to race overseas, a strong will, that we wanted to support. Those were the big points in terms of selecting Ohta.' So far, Ohta's IMSA campaign has been forgettable in terms of results. Not long after his first race stint in the #93 Acura ARX-06 at Daytona, the car dropped many laps off the pace due to a suspension problem, and while he was set for further mileage at Sebring in an LMP2 car, an early accident for one of his Era Motorsport team-mates meant he didn't even get to drive. The Japanese driver is getting extra racing experience with LMP2 outings for Era Motorsport in IMSA The Japanese driver is getting extra racing experience with LMP2 outings for Era Motorsport in IMSA But Ohta will have two more chances to shine in the Acura, one at Watkins Glen this weekend and the other at Indianapolis later in the year, as well as a further outing for Era Motorsport in LMP2 at Road America as he builds up his experience in the US – all while jetting back and forth to Japan to fight for the Super Formula title. Advertisement 'I think so far Ohta has done a great job in quite a challenging environment,' added Watanabe. 'I was there at Daytona so I could see his driving and his communication with the team with my own eyes, and he was communicating with the team in the way I had hoped. Sadly due to an issue with the car he wasn't able to get a result, but I am looking forward to seeing how he does in the next race at Watkins Glen. I have high hopes for him.' Ohta has made it clear in previous conversations with that he is hoping to use his new-found connections with Meyer Shank Racing to land a test in IndyCar machinery. Indeed, the 25-year-old who goes by 'Kaku' in the IMSA paddock visited the Indy 500 last month straight after a test at Watkins Glen, soaking in the action together with Watanabe. But Watanabe is keen to stress that Ohta must first prove his worth in IMSA before any serious discussions about a future in IndyCar can take place. 'I know he has various goals and ambitions, as top athletes should have,' said Watanabe. 'What I have said to him is that I want to see him focus on what is in front of him, get good results in IMSA, perform well, then we can think about the next step. Advertisement 'So in this year's IMSA races, although there aren't many opportunities left, I am hoping he can get good results, such as a podium finish. This is our expectation. As for future possibilities for him, we want to see what aspirations he has for himself, and then we would also have to consider what HRC's circumstances are like.' Sato can still call on support from Honda, but his personal backers enable him to continue to compete in IndyCar Sato can still call on support from Honda, but his personal backers enable him to continue to compete in IndyCar Asked whether a full-time IMSA ride would be the logical next step for Ohta, Watanabe replied: 'That is one possibility. At the appropriate timing we'll decide based on his results.' Advertisement Financial considerations will of course play a role in any ambitions Ohta may have to race in IndyCar. With his profile and connections, Sato has been able to gather the sponsorship money needed to race at Indy through largely his own efforts in recent years, and it's far from clear whether any other HRC driver would be able to raise the required sums. 'Takuma's Indy 500 programme is not so much a works Honda programme, but rather it's a result of his love for Indy and his strong desire to compete, which has allowed him to gather support from various sources, including from Honda,' clarified Watanabe, adding he "personally believes" Sato will still be on the grid next season. "If we find someone that ticks these boxes, we'll make a decision on whether to support them" Koji Watanabe 'In the future, we will consider if there is a driver with the same determination to race at Indy as Takuma, as well as someone with the required level of talent. If we find someone that ticks these boxes, we'll make a decision on whether to support them.' As Watanabe stresses, there are no guarantees at this stage, but Ohta being given the chance to race in IMSA this year already marks the biggest opportunity handed to a Japanese Honda driver outside of the traditional ladder to F1 for many years. Advertisement And if Ohta was ever to make the move to IndyCar from Super Formula, he would be following the same path taken by a certain Alex Palou five years ago – a move that most would probably agree didn't work out too badly… Palou and Ohta were team-mates at the Daytona 24 Hours, but can the Japanese driver follow the path the Spaniard took to reach IndyCar? Palou and Ohta were team-mates at the Daytona 24 Hours, but can the Japanese driver follow the path the Spaniard took to reach IndyCar? To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Alex Palou's crash in Detroit Grand Prix continues streak of Indy 500 winner not winning next race
DETROIT — Alex Palou hoped to make the next bit of history with a win in the Indianapolis 500 and the same series' race the following weekend for the first time in more than 30 years. Palou, the first Spaniard to win the Indy 500, crashed into a barrier on Turn 1 with 28 laps to go. It came after the leaders pitted on a caution and during the restart with contact from David Malukas. It will be Palou's worst placement (25th, did not finish) in a dominant season after he won five of the first six races and finished runner up to Kyle Kirkwood at Long Beach. Advertisement It was Al Unser Jr. who won the Indy 500 and then the Milwaukee mile in consecutive weeks in 1994. It had been a quarter century since Juan Pablo Montoya won the Indy 500 and went on to win his next race, albeit in CART at the Milwaukee mile. Here's a look at how Indy 500 winner since 1994 have performed in their second race. How have Indy 500 winners performed in their next race? 2025: Alex Palou, 25th, did not finish at Detroit 2024: Josef Newgarden, 26th at Detroit 2023: Josef Newgarden, 10th at Detroit 2022: Marcus Ericsson, seventh at Detroit 2021: Helio Castroneves, no race the week immediately after; did not run the next scheduled race Advertisement 2020: Takuma Sato, second and ninth at World Wide Technology Raceway 2019: Simon Pagenaud, sixth and 17th at Detroit 2018: Will Power, seventh and second at Detroit 2017: Takuma Sato, eighth and fourth at Detroit 2016: Alexander Rossi, 10th and 12th at Detroit 2015: Juan Pablo Montoya, 10th (twice) at Detroit 2014: Ryan Hunter-Reay, 16th and 19th at Detroit 2013: Tony Kanaan, 13th and 12th at Detroit 2012: Dario Franchitti, second at Detroit 2011: Dan Wheldon, no race the week immediately after; did not run the next scheduled race 2010: Dario Franchitti, fifth at Texas Motor Speedway 2009: Helio Castroneves, 11th at The Milwaukee Mile Advertisement 2008: Scott Dixon, second at The Milwaukee Mile 2007: Dario Franchitti, second at The Milwaukee Mile 2006: Sam Hornish Jr, 12th at Watkins Glen 2005: Dan Wheldon, no race the week immediately after; sixth at Texas Motor Speedway two weeks later 2004: Buddy Rice, no race the week immediately after; 15th at Texas Motor Speedway two weeks later 2003: Gil De Ferran, no race the week immediately after; eighth at Texas Motor Speedway two weeks later 2002: Helio Castroneves, no race the week immediately after; fourth at Texas Motor Speedway two weeks later 2001: Helio Castroneves, 26th at The Milwaukee Mile (back in CART) Advertisement 2000: Juan Pablo Montoya, won at The Milwaukee Mile (back in CART) 1999: Kenny Brack, no race the week immediately after; 13th at Texas Motor Speedway two weeks later 1998: Eddie Cheever, no race the week immediately after; 26th at Texas Motor Speedway two weeks later 1997: Arie Luyendyk, no race the week immediately after; first at Texas Motor Speedway two weeks later 1996: Buddy Lazier, no race the week immediately after; end of the season 1995: Jacques Villeneuve, sixth at The Milwaukee Mile 1994: Al Unser Jr, won at The Milwaukee Mile Editor's note: This story was updated with Palou's placement and add a tweet. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Alex Palou crash: History of Indy 500 winners finish in next race
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Spain's Palou clinches win in chaotic 109th Indy 500
Spain's Alex Palou withstood a fightback by Sweden's Marcus Ericsson to claim victory in a chaotic Indianapolis 500. Palou overtook Ericsson with 14 laps remaining before holding off the Swede's late recovery to become the first Spaniard to win the 109th edition of the showpiece race. The start was delayed because of light rain and included several yellow flags with the lead changing hands 22 times among 14 drivers. Marco Andretti, grandson of F1 great Mario Andretti, lasted just four laps after being hit by Ryan Hunter-Reay, while Scott McLaughlin also crashed out after losing control early on and Kyle Larson's attempt to complete the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day was curtailed by a crash. Palou, of Chip Ganassi Racing, averaged 168.9 mph over the iconic 200 laps of a 2.5-mile oval track at the Indianapolis Brickyard, while 2022 winner Ericsson finished 0.682 seconds behind, with American David Malukas in third. Mexico's Pato O'Ward finished fourth and Sweden's Felix Rosenqvist fifth. Two-time champion Takuma Sato led for 51 laps before falling out of contention after skidding into his pit, while pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman's challenge ended on lap 89 when he collided with members of his pit team - though no-one was badly hurt. Larson, meanwhile, was able to safely exit his car after the crash on lap 91 before being cleared to fly to Charlotte to compete in the Nascar event.
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Spain's Palou clinches win in chaotic 109th Indy 500
Spain's Alex Palou withstood a fightback by Sweden's Marcus Ericsson to claim victory in a chaotic Indianapolis overtook Ericsson with fewer than 15 laps remaining before holding off the Swede's late recovery to become the first Spaniard to win the 109th edition of the showpiece start was delayed because of light rain and included several yellow flags with the lead changing hands 22 times among 14 Andretti, grandson of F1 great Mario Andretti, lasted just four laps after being hit by Ryan Hunter-Reay, while Scott McLaughlin also crashed out after losing control early on and Kyle Larson's attempt to complete the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day was curtailed by a crash. Palou, of Chip Ganassi Racing, averaged 168.9 mph over the iconic 200 laps of a 2.5-mile oval track at the Indianapolis Brickyard, while 2022 winner Ericsson finished 0.682 seconds behind, with American David Malukas in Pato O'Ward finished fourth and Sweden's Felix Rosenqvist champion Takuma Sato led for 51 laps before falling out of contention after skidding into his pit, while pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman's challenge ended on lap 89 when he collided with members of his pit team - though no-one was badly meanwhile, was able to safely exit his car after the crash on lap 91 before being cleared to fly to Charlotte to compete in the Nascar event.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR's Kyle Larson Spins Out of Indy 500, Heads to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600
On a restart on lap 92 of the Indianapolis 500, Larson got loose behind Takuma Sato and spun, collecting Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb. The crash ended Larson, Simpson, and Robb's race as they became the fifth through seventh drivers to retire from the race. "So I spun," Larson told IndyCar on Fox. "Just hate that I caused that crash, I hate it for everyone that also got caught up in it. I'll try to get over this quickly and get on to Charlotte." You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car Sign in to access your portfolio
