UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Sato still upset with penalty

Not happy with stewards

Jun.21 (GMM) Takuma Sato says he is "not happy" with Indianapolis stewards' decision to penalise him following an incident during the US grand prix.

The Super Aguri driver spun out of the 73-lap race, so he will start ten places lower on the Magny Cours grid next weekend after stewards ruled that he overtook Honda-powered colleague Jenson Button under yellow flags at turn one.

Sato immediately claimed that it was in fact Button who had tried to pass him in the wake of the lap-one accident.

"We are not happy with the decision," the Japanese now adds. "I knew about the incident and yellow flag at turn one, it was so obvious.

"On the straight, I knew Jenson was immediately behind and had got my tow. I thought he didn't realise there was a yellow flag. He tried to overtake and we were side-by-side but, going into turn one, he hesitated and braked earlier. I thought he was quitting the manoeuvre and that's why I held my position."

Sato says the problem is that the marshals' station for turn one is too close to the corner.

"It was only 50 metres before the incident," he explained. "We were absolutely side-by-side, in terms of positioning it looks we were identical on the TV footage, but there was a loop there which shows that Jenson was ahead.

"The outcome is it looks like I was overtaking him - from the scientific point of view - but of course the penalty is really harsh."

Written: Fri, 22 Jun 2007 03:52:04