New challenge for Sato

Takuma Sato will lead the new Super Aguri F1 team into its debut season this weekend, when the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship begins in Bahrain. The Honda powered outfit arrive in Bahrain having completed around 600 kilometres of testing mileage during the off-season - with a three-day systems check in Barcelona followed by a brief shakedown of the SA05 at Silverstone. However, while preparations for the new season have not been ideal, Taku is looking forward to a new challenge.

Takuma Sato "I am very excited to be going to Bahrain with a brand new team. They have done a great job to ensure that we made it to the first race - and that is a fantastic achievement. We shook down the car with our 2006 aero package last week and although we did not get to do much running due to bad weather, the car worked well immediately.

"It will feel very different starting the season in Bahrain. The circuit in Sakhir provides an exciting race, but it is demanding on the car, especially on the brakes due to the number of low-speed corners and the heat. We know that it will be a difficult start for what will be a very challenging year, but we are very much looking forward to it."

Taku's fellow countryman, Yuji Ide meanwhile will drive the second SA05, making his F1 debut on Sunday.

http://www.f1technical.net/news/2006