Sato eyes F1 race return for 2010

Sato

(GMM) Takuma Sato is confident he can bounce back into a formula one race seat, after departing the paddock with the failed Super Aguri team mid last year.

After some tests with Toro Rosso over the pre-2009 winter period, the Japanese driver made his first paddock appearance of this season at Suzuka last weekend.

A Japanese sports newspaper said the 32-year-old veteran of 93 grands prix with three separate teams was "job hunting", sensing some opportunities with the turmoil of the 2010 driver market.

Sato told the Reuters news agency that he is in talks not only with the new teams but also existing ones, and also considers switching to the American open wheeler series IRL an option for 2010.

"I'm putting the same weight towards F1 and IRL," he revealed, admitting his appearance at Suzuka was to ensure his face is remembered at a time when teams are contemplating their line-ups for the following season.

"I've found sometimes you can't control all things by yourself … You can't afford to be forgotten," said Sato.