Sato picks up award in Monza

[Pink_the_Floyd]

BAR driver Takuma Sato has been awarded a Confartigianato Motori Prize at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza this weekend, an honour which has been bestowed on many illustrious names from Formula One racing over the past 21 years.

The Confartigianato Motori Prize Awards were established in 1983, and every year, on the occasion of the Italian Grand Prix, are presented according to the voting of authoritative judges in recognition of Formula One driver talent.

There are various categories and the Award received by Takuma is presented annually to "the emerging driver who, working with diligence and devotion, has found positive recognition in the world of motoring competitions."

Previous winners of the Award include Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, Mika Hakkinen, Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard.

Commenting on the prize, Sato said, "I am very happy to be given this Award by such an important panel of judges. It is good to be recognized for such an important Award."

The judging panel includes former drivers Ivan Capelli and Gabriele Tarquini, Monza Circuit Director Enrico Ferrari, Paolo Montagna from the ACI Milano and a selection of Italian journalists from the world of motorsport.

 

[usernamed]

Is it just me, or Sato isn't that much of a driver. IMO, I find him more of a Massa. Push the car until it blows. If Honda didn't provide engines, I don't think that he would be driving. Davidson would.

I hope Weber got/gets this award. He's the one guy who deserves this award. Qualified 3rd with a Jaguar right?

Finished the Australian Gran Prix 5th with a Minardi. A Minardi!

 

[daan]

Finished the Australian Gran Prix 5th with a Minardi. A Minardi!

I'm not saying Webber is a bad driver, but who finished behind him?

Salo's Toyota (in their first race), Yoong's Minardi and De la Rosa in the Jag (who was a further 2 laps down.) He was only 5th 'cos no one else of consequence finished.

 

[usernamed]

Yeah, I know.

It makes him look good though

There was a big crash on the first corner (Ralf flew over Rubens). The whole paddock went crazy and somehow he managed to get 5th. We could say that luck was on his side.

But he's still a very fast aussie...

 

[kensei]

Is it just me, or Sato isn't that much of a driver. IMO, I find him more of a Massa. Push the car until it blows. If Honda didn't provide engines, I don't think that he would be driving. Davidson would.

I hope Weber got/gets this award. He's the one guy who deserves this award. Qualified 3rd with a Jaguar right?

Finished the Australian Gran Prix 5th with a Minardi. A Minardi!

Sato and Massa are alot alike. The difference though is that Sato is a technically better driver. He has bigger balls too than Massa I think, maybe more then Montoya. My wife and I got to meet Sato at Indy this year (off track) and he is one of the nicest most down to earth guys. He also had a great drive at Indy too.

I think he is very under-rated. I am happy to see him beat Button now too. Don't even get me started on Button (BTW - I'm an ex-button fan of 4 years).

Now Webber. You know he is nice and all, drives that worthless Jaguar the best anyone can but I don't know. I think alot of what is behind him right now is hype. Yes he has had impressive drives but he has so much hype behind him, has for 2 seasons now. I hope he takes the Williams to never levels, I hope he beats Button at each turn but who knows. We will see next year. If anything Williams has the two most over hyped drivers that are fairly under performing next year - Webber and Button.

 

[Blake]

I think Webber is a very capable driver, sure he has alot of hype behind him but I think it is backed up by talent.

And with Sato, he's been doing very little, eespecially as of late.

Here's a little bit of a convo I had with Eagle last night:

he's [Sato] been taking pills lately, it's all short shift, don't overtake, be polite, don't complain, twitch twitch

I really think he pushed the car too hard at the start of the season, now he's not pushing it enough. He has to find a happy medium.

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

Where shall we see him next year.

 

[millencolin]

I hope Weber got/gets this award. He's the one guy who deserves this award. Qualified 3rd with a Jaguar right?

NO, it was a second Malaysia, second on the grid behind king schuie...i was watchin the qualifying and i was STOKED, OVER THE MOON WITH THAT PERFORMANCE!!!!!! plus the third at hungary last year

 

[Blake]

Yeah but his start just sucked, they spent like 3 days at a drag strip with him getting his starts right after that

I think BAR will keep Sato because they simply have noone else.

 

[Eagle]

Actually, they just took third driver Bjorn off to the drag strip - it wasn't completely Mark's fault as teammate Klien suffered the same problem, a problem he'd already suffered at prior GPs. It was a Jaguar fault so they rented a drag strip and worked on it.

Hungary 2003... there was a great race. Alonso disappears and Mark lives out his life long dream of driving a freight train. Woo.

I'd choose Webber over Sato any day really. Sato may have balls (and bravado for a while...) but I think Webber has brains and I respect those a lot more. He's pretty good natured most of the time, drives like hell in a horrible car, and has obviously earned the respect of one of the sport's great team principles in Frank. Let's not forget his sportscar past either, I think he's achieved some great things and I have far more respect for him than I do Sato. I hope he gets a chance to truly shine at Williams, it'd be good.

 

[millencolin]

aparently, it was a dogy clutch that screwed up webbers start at malaysia

 

[Blake]

IF he gets a chance to truely shine with Williams, they really need to pull there fingers out and get a good package together. They've shown a bit of improvement lately but not enough. Hopefully they can put Webber in a good position.

 

[Hell Patrol]

Push the car until it blows. If Honda didn't provide engines, I don't think that he would be driving. Davidson would.
!

How can you say that?
Honda Engines blown up are the engineers fault..not his.. 💡

As for Webber look at his score compairing to Sato.. nuff said

 

[Eagle]

It's pretty rare when a team can't diagnose the reason behind several successive engine failures, for only one driver in the team - Button was never affected. Now suddenly Sato is turning in far less risky and generally more mundane drives and the engine's merrily remaining intact - I think that speaks for itself.