could also be 48 years previous, however the two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 is not fairly executed but. The veteran racer has introduced plans to aim the 109th operating of the Indy 500, changing into the thirty fourth driver to verify their plans to take action. Which means bumping is assured to occur in qualifying for this yr’s race with solely 33 drivers in the end allowed to start out the occasion.
Sato will once more drive for within the No. 75 Honda, making an attempt to be a part of the Indy 500 for the sixteenth time in his profession. He drank the milk in each 2017 and 2020, successful his second 500 with RLL equipment. The Japanese driver additionally drove an RLL Honda in final yr’s Indy 500, putting 14th.
Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
Jake Galstad / Motorsport Photos
Sato’s profession contains 221 IndyCar races, six wins, 14 podiums and 10 pole positions. He is additionally an ex-F1 driver, operating 90 races between 2002 and 2008 with a finest end of third within the 2004 United States Grand Prix.
“I’m very excited to return to the 109th Indy 500 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing,” mentioned Sato in a launch from the crew. “As soon as once more, a heartfelt thanks to Bobby [Rahal], Mike [Lanigan], David [Letterman], and your complete group for this unbelievable alternative. I’m additionally deeply grateful for the continued assist from AMADA as the first sponsor [who also backed Sato’s 2024 efforts] alongside Panasonic Automotive Techniques, Niterra, Deloitte Tohmatsu, NAC, Honda, HRC, and all our loyal sponsors.
“The brand new No. 75 automotive carries over RLL’s historic design with a refreshed and dynamic new livery – it appears completely beautiful. Final yr was an unbelievable expertise, reconnecting with the crew, and this yr, much more acquainted faces have joined the trouble, which makes this second much more particular and offers me nice confidence. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Sato will probably be a part of a four-car effort for RLL alongside teammates within the No. 45, within the No. 30, and within the No. 15.
He’s additionally amongst a gaggle of one-off drivers who’re solely making an attempt the five hundred. They embody NASCAR star Kyle Larson, fellow Indy 500 winners Helio Castroneves and Ryan Hunter-Reay, in addition to Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, and Jack Harvey.
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