Takumi SATO

Takuma "Taku" Sato, born on January 28, 1977, in Tokyo, Japan, is a celebrated Japanese racing driver with a career spanning Formula One and IndyCar. He is particularly renowned for his achievements in American open-wheel racing, where he became the first Asian driver to win the prestigious Indianapolis 500, a feat he accomplished twice, in 2017 and 2020.

Sato's journey in motorsports began with karting in Japan before he moved to Europe in 1998 to pursue a career in racing. He quickly made a name for himself in the British Formula Three Championship, winning the title in 2001. This success paved the way for his Formula One debut in 2002 with the Jordan team. He later joined BAR Honda, achieving his first podium finish at the 2004 United States Grand Prix. Sato's F1 career also included a stint with Super Aguri, a team formed to keep him in Formula 1.

In 2010, Sato transitioned to IndyCar racing, where he continued to showcase his aggressive driving style and relentless determination. Besides his two Indy 500 victories, Sato has also won races at Long Beach (2013), Barber Motorsports Park, and World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. As of 2025, he rejoins Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to compete in the 109th Indianapolis 500. Outside of racing, Sato is a former national high school cycling champion, using cycling as a key part of his training.