RLLR retains Sato for 2020 IndyCar season
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has announced it will retain 2017 Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato for the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series season.


Sato, 42, rejoined RLLR at the start of 2018 after five seasons away, and in that time has taken three victories, starting with last year's Portland race.
The Japanese veteran lies sixth in the points standings heading into this weekend's season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca - having taken additional wins at both Barber and Gateway - three places ahead of teammate Graham Rahal.
Sato commented: “I am very happy to continue our path together again after this season. Every single member of the team is extremely loyal and have given me unbelievable support. I truly feel at home here and I am so proud of the team.
"We have had another great season this year and even had some tough times but it only made our relationship stronger. I can’t thank Bobby [Rahal], Mike [Lanigan], David [Letterman] and entire team enough and I am looking forward to finishing the season strong and also looking forward to 2020.”
Ex-Formula 1 racer Sato was widely expected to remain with RLLR for a third consecutive season, which will mark his 11th in IndyCar competition.
"We have been very pleased with the results and level of competition Takuma has shown this season,” added team co-owner Bobby Rahal. “His two wins and two poles don’t fully indicate how competitive he has been overall this season and the fact that he was a contender at many other races.
"He is an integral part of our team which I believe we have shown. This decision allows us to keep the continuity and continue to build upon our program for 2020.”
Rahal indicated to Motorsport.com earlier this month that the likelihood of expanding to a third full-time entry for 2020 had receded, putting the chances at "50/50". The team ran an extra car in this year's Indy 500 for Jordan King.

Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
Photo by: Scott R LePage / LAT Images

IndyCar spectator attendance “meaningfully up,” says Miles
Laguna Seca IndyCar: Rosenqvist leads Saturday practice

Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and series sophomore Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How Marcus Ericsson finally unlocked his potential in IndyCar
Marcus Ericsson enjoyed a breakout year in the IndyCar Series in 2021, winning twice and finishing sixth in points with Chip Ganassi Racing. How did he finally unlock the potential that was masked by five years of toil in Formula 1 with Caterham and Sauber/Alfa Romeo?
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing win
Saturday, Oct. 16th, marks the 10th anniversary Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500.
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Jack Harvey’s move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate, but their combined strength could prove golden, says David Malsher-Lopez.
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong résumé and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear. By David Malsher-Lopez.
2021 IndyCar title is just the start for Ganassi's newest star
Alex Palou has captured Chip Ganassi Racing's 14th IndyCar drivers' championship, and in truly stellar manner. David Malsher-Lopez explains what made the Palou-Ganassi combo so potent so soon.
Why Grosjean's oval commitment shows he's serious about IndyCar
One of motorsport’s worst-kept secrets now out in the open, and Romain Grosjean has been confirmed as an Andretti Autosport IndyCar driver in 2022. It marks a remarkable turnaround after the abrupt end to his Formula 1 career, and is a firm indication of his commitment to challenge for the IndyCar Series title
IndyCar’s longest silly-season is still at fever pitch
The 2021 IndyCar silly season is one of the silliest of all, but it’s satisfying to see so many talented drivers in play – including Callum Ilott. David Malsher-Lopez reports.