Super Sato's Stunning Finish

Promise Fulfiled
By Phil Giles
October 13 2002

Takuma Sato has finished the Japanese Grand Prix in a magnificent FIFTH position picking up 2 points for Jordan. In a race which saw two of the four Honda engines give out and another have a technical problem, Taku drove a mature and levelled race to bring the car home after 53 laps.

Japan and the Jordan pit erupted as Taku crossed the line.  The points give Jordan a leap over the big cat and BAR to finish the constructors championship in 6th place.

Giancarlo had a bad start when the engine in his race car gave up on his way to the grid.  The team had to get the spare car which was set up for Takuma ready for Fisi in less than half an hour.

Takuma held position at the start, while Giancarlo dropped to 11th place.  Taku lost a couple of places during the first of two pitstops and fell behind the Renaults of Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button.  However Jarno failed to finish and an excellent pit stop from Jordan brought Takuma back out in front of Jenson and there he stayed.

With just 6 laps left, Ralf Schumacher running in third place pulled over as the BMW engine let go.  BMW's failure promoted Taku up to fifth and he brought the car home to a wonderful cheer from the Japanese crowd.

Jordan Fans Online would like to congratulate Takuma and the entire Jordan team on their success at Suzuka.  This was Jordan's most exciting race of the year and even at 6am on a Sunday morning, my day has been made already.

Well Done Takuma-San.

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