INDIANAPOLIS – Takuma Sato’s Tour of Honda will continue in 2022 as the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner moves on to Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing in the NTT IndyCar Series.
It will be the fifth different Honda team that Sato has raced for since joining the NTT IndyCar Series in 2010.
Since that time, Sato has driven for Honda teams, or Honda teams at the time, including KV Racing Technology, A.J. Foyt Racing, Andretti Autosport, and two different stints with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Sato won the 101st Indianapolis 500 in a Honda for Andretti Autosport in 2017 and the 104th Indianapolis 500 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in ’20. When he drove for KV Racing and Foyt, both of those teams were using Honda at that time.
Sato will drive the Coyne and Ware’s No. 51 Honda-powered entry for the entire 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season.
“I am extremely excited that we were able to work out a deal with Dale, Rick and everyone at Dale Coyne Racing,” Sato said. “With Honda an integral part of Dale Coyne Racing, it seemed like a great fit. The team has proven year after year that they are very competitive on all types of circuits.
“Particularly the speed that team has shown in recent years at the Indy 500 were very impressive,” Sato added. “I am really looking forward to working with my new environment and can’t wait to get started.”
Sato brings 12 years of IndyCar experience with him to the team. In his 198 starts, he has finished on the podium 14 times with six wins. The 44-year-old driver has also started from the pole position 10 times, has led 896 laps and has 70 top 10 finishes.
“Takuma has shown that he is one of the best drivers to ever race in the NTT IndyCar Series,” Coyne said. “Winning the famed Indianapolis 500 twice, we look forward to competing with our package of a good car with a great driver in the 500 next year. All of us on our team welcome the very talented Mr. Sato into our fold for 2022.”
The driver from from Tokyo, Japan, spent seven seasons in Formula One prior to his arrival in the IndyCar Series 11 years ago. He most recently spent the last four seasons with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team.
“I am excited to have Takuma join the Dale Coyne Racing with RWR Family for 2022,” Ware said. “Takuma’s experience within motorsports is extensive, not just in the United States, but around the world. With Takuma’s experience, and vast knowledge of the cars, we are really looking forward to stepping up the program and having a successful season, and maybe even add another Indianapolis 500 win to his list of achievements.”
The 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season kicks off on the Streets of St. Petersburg in Florida on Feb. 25-27.