Sato Positive of Strong Season

Takuma Sato believes a year testing for the BAR team has helped him become a better racing driver as he faces his return to competitive action in 2004.

27-year old Sato made his Grand Prix debut in 2002 with the Jordan team, but was left without a racing seat and returned to BAR to spend 2003 testing. He returned to racing, however, for last year's Japanese Grand Prix, replacing Canadian Jacques Villeneuve.

The Japanese says he is upbeat about his racing return, and is confident of a strong season alongside Briton Jenson Button.

"I'm very excited about racing with BAR this season," said Sato as his team unveiled their new 006 car in Barcelona.

"Jenson and I will be a strong partnership, the car looks very good and I think we have every reason to feel positive. This will be my second full year of racing in F1 and my first opportunity to build on the valuable lessons I learnt in 2002.

"In my position as BAR third driver last year I had a great opportunity to prepare for this season, so I feel very comfortable that I will be able to play a big part in achieving the team's ambitions."