Delighted Sato Targeting Maiden Podium

BAR driver Takuma Sato is targeting his first podium finish at tomorrow's Spanish Grand Prix after making history on Saturday.

Sato's qualifying performance was the best by a Japanese driver in Formula One history and the 27-year-old could dream of matching compatriot Aguri Suzuki's third-place finish in the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix.

"That is the target," he said.

"It's fantastic to be starting the race from third on the grid," added Sato. "It means a huge amount to me, to Honda and all the people who support the team. It wasn't a perfect lap; the first sector was good then the car was a little twitchy in the second sector and I probably lost a little time in the last sector as a result.

"This is a track I know well though and I just want to do the best job I can tomorrow. We have a strong and well-balanced car and a great opportunity to be on the podium. It won't be easy though but I'll certainly be trying my best."

Qualifying dealt a huge blow to Sato's British teammate Jenson Button, who is chasing his fourth podium in a row after starting the last race on pole and was expected to be Michael Schumacher's big challenger in Barcelona.

Button went off the track during his flying lap and will start the race from 14th place.

"My lap was very disappointing," said Button. "The conditions have changed a lot since pre-qualifying as there's a lot more wind now, which is one of the reasons why I ended up having an excursion.

"The first sector was OK and I had lots of grip but then I got some understeer, went wide coming around turn seven, went onto the grass and had to lift off in the end, which was disappointing as it has put me down to 14th. Sometimes these things happen though."