Sato to depart Rahal Letterman Lanigan IndyCar squad
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has announced Takuma Sato is leaving the team, for whom he scored four of his six IndyCar wins, including the Indianapolis 500.
As expected, the former Formula 1 driver’s latest term with the team co-owned by Bobby Rahal, David Letterman and Mike Lanigan has ended after a four year stint, during which Sato won at Portland in 2018, Barber and Gateway in 2019 and the Indy 500 in 2020, his second triumph at the fabled Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Sato finished 11th in this year’s championship, with a best result of fourth at Detroit along with seven other top-10 finishes.
This was in fact his fifth season at the team having also competed for RLL in 2012, not only earning two podium finishes but also coming one failed pass away from winning that year’s Indy 500, spinning into the wall on the final lap.
Rahal, 1986 Indy winner, said: “It was a privilege and honour to have Takuma with us twice over the years. We appreciate the commitment and the energy he brought every day to the track and to everything that we were doing as a team.
“Of course we are forever indebted to him for bringing the car home first in the 2020 Indy 500. It was a special moment for me personally, for Mike and his family and for our entire team. What a fantastic victory.
“I always really enjoyed working with Takuma. His dedication and commitment to not just his craft, but also the team was unquestionable.
“We wish him all the best on his next opportunity. I would like to think we will always remain friends because we just enjoyed each other’s company.”
Said Lanigan: “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Takuma, not only for his capabilities on the track, but also how he handles himself off the track. I will always be grateful for what he has done for the team, and for the success he has brought, particularly for winning the 2020 Indianapolis 500.”
Jack Harvey’s arrival at RLL could be confirmed next week, and Christian Lundgaard – who shone on his debut with the team in the second race on the IMS road course – is believed to be the most likely candidate for the squad's new third full-time entry, according to Autosport sources.
Meanwhile, Sato is expected to move to Dale Coyne Racing.
Related video
McLaughlin won't race at Bathurst for DJR due to quarantine requirements
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
Romain Grosjean's swashbuckling rookie year in IndyCar captured the imagination of many in 2021. But another ex-Formula 1 driver whose potential was masked by five years of toil in, at best, middling machinery also enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 - winning twice and finishing sixth in points. Here's how Marcus Ericsson finally delivered on his promise
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
IndyCar sophomore Alex Palou stunned by overcoming team-mate Scott Dixon and the rest of a white-hot field in 2021. He was consistently fast and crucially showed a level head, rebounding well from setbacks to put himself in a near unassailable position entering the final round
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Despite appearing to have an IndyCar job for life with Meyer Shank Racing, Jack Harvey’s departure and move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate. However, Harvey's and RLL's combined strengths could prove to be a winning combination - if they get the balance right
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Saturday 16 October marks the 10th anniversary of Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong junior career and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear
Why IndyCar title glory is just the start for Ganassi's new star
Newly-crowned IndyCar champion Alex Palou has been lauded as a complete driver and veteran-like in only his second season. The 24-year-old is still in the early days of his career, but the parallels are there for all to see with his six-time champion Chip Ganassi Racing team-mate who has been CGR's team leader since 2014
Why Grosjean's oval commitment shows he's serious about IndyCar
One of motorsport’s worst-kept secrets is now out in the open, and Romain Grosjean has been confirmed as an Andretti Autosport IndyCar driver in 2022. It marks a remarkable turnaround after the abrupt end to his Formula 1 career, and is a firm indication of his commitment to challenge for the IndyCar Series title