Grapevine: News from the Paddock - Japanese GP

Hon-Da Shop Floor

Before announcing their new driver line-up for 2002, Jordan gave Honda staff a sneak clue of who Giancarlo Fisichella's partner would be. Team boss Eddie Jordan took new signing Takuma Sato along to the Japanese company's research and development facility in Tochigi, north of Tokyo for a surprise visit. During the two-hour tour Jordan and Sato were shown a top-secret prototype of next year's Honda engine and also spoke to the amassed 200-strong crowd, who cheered Sato and congratulated him on his achievement.

Scaling New Heights

There is no doubt that any Formula One driver knows he has a mountain to climb if he is to win the World Championship but, after failing in that goal, former Grand Prix star Ukyo Katayama has literally scaled the heights in the search for a new off-track achievement. Katayama, a veteran of 95 Grands Prix with Larrousse, Tyrrell and Minardi, has always had a passion for climbing and now he has achieved his long-time ambition of climbing Mount Everest.

The diminutive Japanese star did not quite manage to achieve the feat without the aid of oxygen as he had hoped, but he still achieved an incredible goal and made it back to base camp on October 9th to become, quite probably, the first Formula One racer to literally be on top of the world.

Tokyo Super Run

Just two days before Takuma Sato was announced as a Jordan driver for 2002, the young Japanese star was at the wheel of a car belonging to the other Honda-powered team in Formula One, British American Racing. In unfamiliar surroundings of a massive car park, Sato joined Jacques Villeneuve for a crowd-pleasing demonstration on a specially laid-out 535m course in the waterfront Odaiba district of Tokyo.

Rain failed to dampen the event, in which Villeneuve also took to the wheel of Honda's S2000 road car, and fans lined the streets to see their heroes. "I am really pleased to have a change to demonstrate the unique thrill and power of Formula One in the middle of Tokyo," said Villeneuve. No doubt, Villeneuve did not give the S2000 its usual post-shopping drive around the car park.

It's One (or Several) Big Parties

A host of parties were held in Japan on Thursday as the Formula One circus bids farewell to a number of key figures. A special party was held for Jean Alesi, who will retire after the Suzuka race, with all of the drivers in attendance. Ferrari held a special retirement party for mechanic Oreste Giovannini. The veteran, who has been with the Ferrari team for 30 years, was presented with a model of the first race car transporter he drove to the Italian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Honda held a special night in the fairground at Suzuka with Juan Pablo Montoya the only driver to make an appearance. Patrick Head was another who sampled life on the big wheel.

The Sato and Alesi Story

Spectators in the grandstands at Suzuka paid tribute to Frenchman Jean Alesi as they displayed a banner stating their love for the Jordan driver. Japanese locals held a bright yellow banner with the message "Forza Alesi - you are our hero!! See you next year". Perhaps the fans have not been told about his impending retirement. Takuma Sato, the man who will replace Alesi at Jordan next year, has been seen for the last time in the team's colours this year. After hosting a variety of press conferences in Jordan atire, Sato is now back in British American Racing colours after the Brackley-based team had a quiet word with their Honda-powered rivals grabbing the limelight.

Love is in the Air

Following Ralf Schumacher's wedding and Juan Pablo Montoya's engagement, it was the turn of Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, once engaged to singer Danni Minogue, to announce that he has asked girlfriend Elly Green, a ballet dancer, to tie the knot. Villeneuve's BAR team took the opportunity "to congratulate Jacques and his new fiance."