Sato started out as a bicycle racer but his heart was always in motor racing. Having raised enough money to buy himself a kart he joins the Honda Racing School Scholarship. After winning an unconditional chance to drive in the japanese F3 championship, Sato declined and opted to build his racing career in Europe, particularly England.

It was a challenge of a life time as Sato did not speak english, and so had to learn fluent english along side learning his racecraft. His western racing journey begins in 1998 driving for Diamond racing, competing in the Formula Vauxhall junior races before moving on to Formula Opel a year later. Towards the end of his Formula Opel career Sato also raced in the class B British f3 championship winning the Macau Grand Prix.

His next step was to move into f3 full time, in 2000 Sato did so by joining Carlin motorsport and took 3rd in the british f3 championship. During that year, his f1 career had begun with a few tests for Jordan and became a BAR test driver the following year. 2001 saw Sato dominate the british f3 championship like never before, being victorious in every race but one, winning the presitous F3 Malbaro Masters at Zandvoort and Macau Grand Prix.

So begins his F1 career with Jordan in 2002, a career that would be filled with drama and action, with Sato standing on the podium and lining on the grid with only one car infront. Racing for Jordan one never doubted his speed but his judgement did seem suspect at times, However Sato in the final race of the season displayed what he was about by taking a magnificent fifth in front of his home crowd in Suzuka. In 2003, Sato was sidelined and became a BAR test driver. Again at the last race of the season Sato was unexpectedly pushed back into the limelight replacing Jacque in Suzuka on short notice. Sato shone in the race and drove much to the delight of the home crowd to a great sixth place, and was offered a full racing contract by BAR.

Sato's breakthrough season came in 2004 where he finished 8th in the drivers championship with some strong runs and amazing races, most notibly his strong performances in Bahrain, a sensational podium finish in Indy, and great drive from the back to finish sixth in shanghai. 2005 proved to be a disaster for the team but even more so for Sato, who through falling ill, some erratic drives and team bans never quite recovered, only managed a disappointing 1 point and several top 10 qualifying slots.

Since 2005 many have questioned Sato's place in f1, this year both him and new team Super Aguri have plenty to prove, things kicked off with many problems but Sato is a fighter and only time will tell whether he is still F1 worthy.

Jordan Career:        best finish:  5th  / best grid position: 7th      total: 2  points       

BAR Honda Career:  best finish: 3rd  /  best grid position: 2nd      total: 37 points

Super Aguri Career: best finish: 12th / best grid position: 17th     total: 0   points

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