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BAR Confirm Sato for 2004

Japanese driver Takuma Sato will replace Jacques Villeneuve as teammate to Jenson Button at British American Racing in 2004, the team confirmed today.

Japanese driver Takuma Sato will replace Jacques Villeneuve as teammate to Jenson Button at British American Racing in 2004, the team confirmed today.

BAR team principal David Richards, who notified the former World Champion last weekend of his decision not to renew his contract with the team, explained today, in a press conference held in Tokyo: "The team very much appreciates Jacques Villeneuve's commitment over the past five years. However, as his contract with the team has come to an end, we believe this is the appropriate time to refresh the driver line-up.

"We welcome Takuma as Jenson's teammate for 2004. He has done an excellent job for us in testing this year and has confirmed our long-held belief that he has enormous potential. Takuma is widely regarded as a very fast driver and he has had a meteoric rise to Formula One.

"When he drove for Jordan in 2002 he had just four years' prior racing experience and during that first season we saw flashes of brilliance, which he underlined with an impressive performance in the Japanese Grand Prix last year. After a further year of testing with BAR in 2003, we firmly believe that he deserves the opportunity to translate his natural speed into consistent race performances.

"With Jenson moving into his fifth season in Formula One and his second with BAR, he will provide the counter-balance of experience alongside the fresh enthusiasm of Takuma. A young and hungry driver line-up is essential for us to move closer to achieving our Championship ambitions."

Sato himself commented: "Of course, I am extremely happy to be confirmed as race driver for BAR next year. This is what I have been working hard all year to achieve and now that the decision is made I am looking forward to proving myself again in the team next year.

"A year out of racing has been tough for me, but I am confident that the work we have done this year in testing has been extremely valuable in helping me and the team become a strong partnership. I have built good relationships with many people in the team this year and feel very positive that together we can be successful next season. Now, of course, I can't wait to start the build-up to the Australian Grand Prix in March."

Takeo Kiuchi, Honda F1 Project Leader, said: "Everyone at Honda is looking forward to working with Takuma again next year. We have all been very impressed with the development work he has done this season and we are sure all that effort will be turned into race results next year. I would also like to offer my thanks to Jacques for his support over the four years that Honda have been with the team. We wish him every success for the future."

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