DECEMBER 18, 2002

Sato goes to BAR

Takuma Sato has been dropped as the second Jordan driver and has signed up to be the third driver with British American Racing. Sato will join Anthony Davidson on the BAR test team, reviving the line-up of 2001.

The implication is that Sato has been told that there is no job for him at Jordan and thus that in all likelihood Jordan has signed someone. This is likely to be either Eddie Irvine (who will secure increased backing from Benson & Hedges) or Felipe Massa, who would bring finance from Brazil. It might also be pay-driver Enrique Bernoldi. For the moment however the rumours suggest that Irvine will be back in action again.

Sato's move is not a surprise. He has long been supported by Honda, BAR's engine partner, and there is likely to be a vacancy at BAR at the end of the 2003 season when Jacques Villeneuve moves on.