Sato hopes Indy 500 win inspires next Japanese generation

The Andretti Autosport driver prevailed in a thrilling showdown against Helio Castroneves in the closing laps of Sunday’s race, becoming the first Japanese driver ever to earn the Borg-Warner Trophy.

Sato has been the sole Japanese driver in the Indy 500 field since his second season in 2011, despite Honda powering over half of this year’s field.

But the 40-year-old ex-Formula 1 star hopes more of his compatriots will be motivated to try to follow in his wheeltracks in years to come.

“I certainly hope so,” said Sato on Monday when asked if his achievement could inspire more Japanese drivers to try IndyCar.

“I mean, I want to see the new generation. As long as I can drive, I want to teach them, of course, but beat me and come up and then get even better.”

Honda currently backs a number of young Japanese prospects racing in European single-seater series, such as Nobuharu Matsushita, Nirei Fukuzumi and Tadasuke Makino, but not on the Mazda Road To Indy ladder.

“I think that there are a lot of potential young Japanese drivers out there, and there are a few of them in Europe,” Sato continued. “Unfortunately we haven't really seen the up-and-coming young Japanese drivers in the States.

“But after this result, I'm sure there are many, many drivers who wanted to achieve that one, and here in the States, there is a great pyramid and scholarship system from the junior formulas until Indy Lights and IndyCar.

“There's always great opportunity, and Honda is committed to this series, and I'm here to help anything.”

Sato also revealed the level of interest his win generated in his home country, which led to his phone being “abuzz” late into the evening as Japan woke up to the news on Monday morning.

“Since [the] checkered flag I've probably done 30 interviews, and it's really nice,” said Sato. “It's nice to talk. I was exhausted, but somehow kept on going because I think the race just pumped me up.

“I went to bed at 3am, actually, because by that time my phone was just abuzz, exposure, the explosion from Japan, it being in the daytime.

“It's just fantastic. Everybody is so happy, and I've got… I don't know, probably hundreds, thousands emails by now. It’s just great.”