Sato Not Expecting to Race in Japan

Takuma Sato's manager Andrew Gilbert Scott today rubbished rumours that the Japanese driver will replace BAR-Honda's Jacques Villeneuve in the season-ending Japanese Grand Prix in October.

Sato, who is a test driver for BAR-Honda and is expected to graduate to the race team alongside Jenson Button next year, was quoted by Scottish newspaper The Herald as saying that he understood the Canadian would not be racing in Suzuka.

It was claimed that Sato had made the comments at the Mount Stewart Classic motor racing event on the Isle of Bute in Scotland after he demonstrated a BAR-Honda over the weekend.

But Gilbert Scott said: "It's absolute rubbish. Taku is quite upset and he says that he never said anything like that. I think it is complete nonsense and we will be contacting them about it.

"Taku does not expect to be driving in Japan - unless Jacques has some other reason for not doing it - and I really don't expect Taku to be racing at Suzuka either."

Sato added: "I don't understand why the press make these things up. I imagine that there is a lot of enthusiasm from people but I have never said that I will be racing there. As far as I am concerned, the team already has two race drivers and nothing has changed that"

Villeneuve has been under fire from BAR bosses this year after badmouthing new signing Button at the start of the year and then struggling to get on the pace in the early races.

He finished sixth in the last race in Italy but that result was only his second points finish of the year and his first since the Brazilian Grand Prix in April, the third race of the season.

Engine suppliers Honda have had several meetings with the Canadian during the last month but are understood to favour Sato as a partner for Button next year. The team were unavailable to comment on the situation.