Belgium: Takuma Sato's Number One Hit

By Phil Huff
September 11 2005

Takuma Sato's future in Formula One was thrown into more doubt today, following an accident with Michael Schumacher in the Belgian Grand Prix.

BAR Honda's Japanese driver has suffered a torrid season, plagued by reliability problems and suffering horrendous luck, scoring just a solitary point after 16 Grands Prix.

However, with Rubens Barrichello signed with BAR Honda for 2006, and Jenson Button currently swinging between the Brackley team and Williams, Takuma has needed some strong races to keep him in the frame, yet luck and exuberance keeps rearing its head.

Following a safety car period today, Takuma followed Michael Schumacher into the tight La Source hairpin, but gently hit the former World Champion under braking, putting both drivers out of the race.

The stewards are to investigate the incident after the race.

Sato explained the incident, saying "It's obviously very tricky conditions, and a restart. I locked up the front wheels on the brakes and couldn't stop in the distance."

Michael Schumacher wasn't too impressed, telling reporters that "We've often experienced Hara-Kiri reactions from him in the past and that was another one today. We've talked to him about it in the past.

"I don't know what sort of therapy might help him."