STILL LOTS OF ACTION IN THE FORMULA 1 SHUFFLE

+ Click to Enlarge HOMELAND HERO: Many Japanese motorsport fans would like Takuma Sato to return to Formula 1 - including Sato. Image: AFP

December 14, 2009
By Alan Baldwin

The new Malaysian-backed Lotus team has dashed Takuma Sato's hopes of a Formula 1 comeback with it in 2010, the Japanese driver's management has said.

"We know Taku has not got Lotus," his commercial manager Mathew Winter told Reuters. "He is off the list."

Lotus F1, run by AirAsia airline entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, will name its drivers in Kuala Lumpur today with Italian Jarno Trulli on pole for one of the two race seats.

Finland's Heikki Kovalainen, replaced by World champion Jenson Button at McLaren, will get the other one, Finnish regional daily Turun Sanomat reported on Sunday.

Sato, who still ranks as Japan's most successful F1 driver, had been mentioned among those on a shortlist, along with Malaysian Fairuz Fauzy who is expected to be test and reserve driver.

Winter said former Jordan and Honda driver Sato, whose most reent F1 race was with now-defunct Super Aguri in 2008, was disappointed but had not given up hope of a return.

"We haven't given up," Winter said. "There are still a few seats open and we are trying to hunt them down. His options are running out."

Sato tested for Toro Rosso in 2008 but the Red Bull-owned team opted for Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais, who was then replaced by Jaime Alguersuari who has yet to be confirmed for 2010.

Renault has yet to name a second driver, with the future ownership of the team still undecided, while late entries Sauber and newcomer US F1 each has two seats to fill.

Manor GP, which will become Virgin Racing in 2010, is expected to complete its line-up on Tuesday with Brazilian Lucas di Grassi joining Germany's Timo Glock.

Spanish-based newcomers Campos Meta has Brazilian Bruno Senna signed up and has been linked with well-funded Russian Vitaly Petrov and Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado. - Reuters