2021-07-05 16:26:28

SATO FINISHED TENTH IN THE HONDA INDY 200 AT MID-OHIO

Sato started 19th and moved up to 15th after Hunter-Reay, Hinchcliffe, Grosjean and Rosenqvist were involved in multi-car contact. Once the race restarted from caution on Lap 3, Power brought out another on Lap 4 when he spun on course. Sato ran 14th until he was passed by Ferrucci on Lap 12/80. He climbed as high as sixth as the field made their first scheduled stops and he pit on Lap 31. He returned to the track in 15th place, which he held until he cycled into eighth place before his second stop on Lap 55. He returned to the track in 12th place and spent he majority of the stint trying to pass Bourdais, which he did on the last lap. Herta had to pit for a splash of fuel which gained him another spot.

TAKUMA SATO, No. 30 Panasonic / Mi-Jack Dallara/Honda/Firestone:
“We got 10th starting from 19th. It was a difficult weekend. It (the race) got started well, I think that there was an incident in front that we avoided twice in a row so at the restart I think it was all good. We settled into the rhythm and, strategy-wise, after that there were no yellows so nothing we could really do. I think everyone was spread for the two-stop strategy. We stretched for the first one so we were one of the late stoppers for the group. That enabled us to have a hard race, particularly with Bourdais in the end, and make a place on the final lap. I think it was decent but not the best result we wanted. But starting from 19th and finishing in the top 10, we will take it. Now hopefully a little summer vacation for the team and do lots of analysis. We will have one test in Laguna so I’m looking forward to the last part of the season.”