I was cheering for Alonso this weekend with my dad, because we love F1, but we also love Indy500, so at the start of the race someone watching the race said: "Let's say Alonso doesn't win, who should then?" and with my dad we both said: "Sato"; because of this race. And then, the absolute madjap actually did it. So happy for him.
I thought the exact same thing that day! When Alonso was out I said boy it would be something else if Sato won today especially after that gutsy move he tried in 2012. I've always loved his style and his aggressiveness. He was never given enough credit for the talents that he had only for the crashes that he did. On the last 5 laps I couldn't believe it we were back in the same position. And then boom he gets in the lead at holds it! I'm going mad at this point holding my breath for every lap. Last lap comes and I'm freaking out. Hold it till the very end and I scream my fucking head off. Literally just like the way Sato did! Definitely one of the most if not most memorable race I've ever watched!
I just attended an event at the IMS Museum featuring Takuma Sato. He discussed this incident in detail. It's amazing the amount of calculation that the drivers do in seconds. The reason he didn't wait until turn 3 to make the move was the wind conditions.
Reminds me of when a friend told me in a talk with Hildebrand that in 2011 he basically had no choice but to try to pass Kimball because he wasn’t told Kimball wasn’t on the warm up lane. So when he got to him, he could brake on time or else Wheldon would’ve caught up to him anyways while trying to reaccelerate
kamikaze move, is always fun to see him race but I hope he can have better luck in the future, is very discouraging when see ppl like him ballz out doing things but not paid off, he is a good example.
Every time I watch this I find myself hoping Sato gets some brains and waits to make the move. Oh well. Was a great race. Sad Dario is no longer in the series. Was not a fan of the guy but it is always great for a sport when you have someone that some fans want to root against. He does seem like a great person and I hope he can stay involved with the sport.
Adam Moreira 1) Takuma had already pulled alongside before Dario forced him under the white line, and 2) it's the final lap of the biggest race in the world, so you obviously don't know at what moments in life you should be patient or impatient.
I live in cali and flew to indiana for my first time at the speedway and the indy500, it was freaking amazing... the best race i have ever seen ever. too bad sato didnt win, but was a hell of a race
I remember this was the first 500 I watched all the way start to finish and wow talk about a nail bitter all the way to the very last lap I wanted so bad for kanaan to win it but congrats to dario
Sato was 1 for 2 on passes at turn 1 during those last 2 laps. Unfortunately for him, Franchitti wasn't going to give him space and try for a re-pass in turns 3 or 4, or on the front straight on that last lap. If you watch lap 199 closely, Sato passed Dixon at almost the exact point in turn 1 that he lost control at while trying his pass of Franchitti. The only difference was the amount of space that Dixon gave him.
