Relaxed Sato Confident of Formula One Success

Japanese driver Takuma Sato is confident he will succeed in Formula One racing, as he gets ready for the first Grand Prix of his career in Australia next week.

25-year old Sato was signed by the Jordan team after dominating in the British Formula Three championship in 2001, and though he knows it will not be easy to taste success in Formula One, the Japanese star is confident he will be able to shine.

"It was a very special year for me in 2001 and it gave me great confidence about doing well in Formula One," said Sato during the launch of the Jordan EJ12. "I know it will be very tough, but we have put in a lot of hard work in testing since January. I am very relaxed about the first race and very excited. It will be amazing."

Sato, who will race alongside Italian Giancarlo Fisichella this year at Jordan, will be the 16th Japanese driver to compete in Formula One, and the first one to do it since Tora Takagi in 1999.