Sato sorry for Sepang crash

In an interview with the The Sunday Mirror Sato admitted that the incident, which took place on the second lap of the race, was his fault.

"I was on a lighter fuel load than Fisi and we had an agreement that if I was faster I would be allowed to pass him," he said. "But I now realise that wasn't the place to do it. He wasn't expecting me to try there and we collided. I was furious with myself. I told Fisi and the team I was sorry.

"They weren't happy with me but said I was forgiven. I just have to make sure I don't do it again! Eddie spoke to me afterwards. He was disappointed but not angry with me. The important thing for me is to learn from it. This has certainly not affected my confidence."

Despite his obvious frustration at seeing a potential top sixth finish go begging, team boss Eddie Jordan is backing the Japanese driver to make a big impact in terms of results, too.

"He got a good tongue-lashing from me and he won't be doing that again," said Jordan. "But we must be a little patient with him. This is a star in the making. I believe he is of the Senna/Schumacher ilk so I'm praying one of the big teams don't take him."

Sato's chance to make amends comes this Sunday at the Brazilian GP. Jordan has a poor record at Interlagos though, with its sole top six finish coming way back in 1994 when Rubens Barrichello took fourth.