Takuma Sato Commited to F1 Return in 2010

Takuma Sato has not given up hope of returning to Formula One racing. Although he's 32 – which may be considered a quite late age to make an F1 return, except for someone like, say ... Michael Schumacher – the Japanese driver is now hunting for a job in the series following the turmoil on the drivers' market in recent weeks.

It seems that Fernando Alonso's move to Ferrari has triggered plenty of action on the aforementioned market, as rumors about 2010 contracts started making the headlines day after day in recent weeks. Under the circumstances, and considering that there will be at least 4 new teams on the F1 grid next year, Sato is confident he'll make it to the Bahrain opener in 2010.

Sato was very close to inking a deal with Scuderia Toro Rosso prior to the 2009 season, but the Faenza based team preferred to extend Sebastien Bourdais' deal rather than go for a completely new lineup (Buemi – Sato). The Japanese driver, who made 93 starts in the series for 3 different teams, has been seen in the F1 paddock during the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month.

However, while searching for a new commitment in Formula One for 2010, Sato doesn't neglect the North American single-seater series either. According to the Reuters news agency, the Japanese driver is evaluating both F1 and the IRL options for the upcoming year, as one thing's for sure: he doesn't want to sit another year on the sidelines.

“I'm putting the same weight towards F1 and IRL. I've found sometimes you can't control all things by yourself ... You can't afford to be forgotten,” Sato was quoted as saying to the aforementioned source.

Sato's last drive in Formula One happened in 2008, during the Spanish Grand Prix, when driving for Super Aguri Honda. After that event, the Japanese team ran out of funds and had to withdraw from the sport.