2001 British F3 Champion Takuma Sato talks about his hopes for the international F3 meeting at Macau, his targets for next year with Jordan in F1 and a lot more:
Q:Despite having signed a Formula 1 contract for next year, you made sure that you could race at Macau. How does it feel now you are finally here?
Takuma Sato:The feeling is exactly the same as all the other drivers - I am happy to be here in Macau and I am desperate to win this race. In my mind there is absolutely no way that I am thinking about F1 at this stage. I am looking forward to starting my F1 programme with testing in January, but now I am concentrating on my last race in F3 here in Macau. It will be fun.
Q:Do you feel any extra pressure on you this weekend because you are the big star?
TS:People are saying a lot of things about me because I am a Formula 1 driver racing at Macau, but honestly it doesn't add any pressure at all. Of course there is pressure because it is racing, but there is no more than was on me in the British Formula 3 Championship or in the other major international race at the Marlboro Masters this year. It should be quite good.
Q:Is it a distraction knowing that your future in Formula 1 is guaranteed?
TS:Although I have got my deal for Formula 1, I am still a Formula 3 driver. I know in the past some F3 champions have avoided coming to Macau because people expect them to win and if you lose then many bad things can be said. But that is not in my thoughts. I just want to race, that is the most important thing.
Q:What is your approach to this year's race after crashing out at the first corner last year?
TS:Last year was a bit different because the first session was completely wet and the first time I had a dry car was for qualifying. For me that was a bit difficult. In the race maybe I moved up a step a bit too early and maybe I was pushing too hard. I braked too late for the first corner and then hit the barrier. This year I will be more relaxed and I will be gradually building myself up, working on the set-up in first practice and should be okay.
Q:Who do you see as your main challengers for victory here?
TS:I think everybody can fight for the win here. But I can see [French F3 champion] Ryo Fukuda with Saulnier being very competitive and I think [Japan F3 champion] Benoit Treluyer with the Dome Project team will be very, very quick. But for them it is the first time here, although they have been quick at all the tracks in Japan.
Q:Is it fair to say that until you signed your Jordan race deal you were not that well know in Japan?
TS:I was not as famous in Japan because I hadn't raced in Japan. I kept sending information to Japan magazines and onto my website and slowly a following began. People are more interested in me this year and we have built up together. Now it is different and everybody is hoping that we will be successful. They are looking forward to another good performance from me - and so am I. I am excited about racing at Macau and excited about racing in F1.
Q:You don't want to think about Formula 1 much yet, but what are your targets for next year?
TS:Of course my main aim is to do a good job in Formula 1, but I think the most important thing is to reach the same level as my team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella by the end of next year.
Q:You seem to be so happy at the moment, are you always like this?
TS:Yes. I am so excited at the moment. Racing here in Macau and being a Formula 1 driver next year is my dream. Driving is a pleasure every time I get behind the wheel. Even when I am in a road car driving for 20 miles there is a big smile on my face. Racing is exactly the same - but with a bit more passion.
