Takuma Sato, who would become the seventh full-time Japanese F1 driver in 2002, began his journey as a spectator at the 1987 Japanese F1 Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit. The most memorable racer for the 10-year-old Takuma was Ayrton Senna driving the Lotus 99T/Honda.

“When I was in the fourth grade at primary school, I was able to go the Suzuka Circuit to watch the F1 Japanese Grand Prix. Until then, the only thing I knew about F1 was that there was a Japanese driver called Satoru Nakajima, that Honda was heading to win the title, and that Honda had a sensational driver called Senna. When I actually saw Senna driving, I was stunned, and I soon started to dream about motorsports. Ferrari’s [Gerhard] Berger won, but Senna, who started 7th on the grid, would catch up and pass cars ahead of him, until he ended up in 2nd place. Senna’s driving was so different from the others, and I was riveted to his performance.”

Sato had become a fan of Senna and motorsports, and continued to watch as Senna won world championships and reign supreme in F1. Meanwhile, Sato went on to high school and pursued bicycle racing. In 1994, when he learned of Senna’s tragic death, Sato was at the critical point in his cycling career.

“I was in my third year of senior high, and it was a very important time for me. I had to win in order to participate in the Inter-High School Championships (National High School Athletic Meet), which was held in Tokyo in May. During that time, I heard of Senna’s fatal accident. I had never met him, but he had been very important to me. On the night of the accident, I was so sad that I could not eat. I even wore a black arm-band in mourning to the Tokyo tournament, which if I won, would get me into the Inter-High. It would be thanks to Senna if I won, and his fault if I didn’t. So I ran, and in the end I won.”

Sato continued bicycle racing at university, but in 1997, 10 years after seeing Senna for the first time at Suzuka, he entered the Suzuka Circuit Racing School Formula (SRS-F, now the Honda Racing School Suzuka (HRS-Suzuka)) and dived headlong into the world of motorsports.

“Senna was my hero who inspired me to become a racing driver and gave me a dream. When I took a bath, I would turn the bath stick upside down and secure it between my knees and hold it like a steering wheel, and while watching the clock, I would mimic the on-board image of Senna and do the ‘Senna foot,’ trying in my mind's eye to lap Suzuka in exactly the same way. When I joined SRS-F, I remember being deeply moved by the thought that I would finally drive a formula car on the track Senna drove on.”

Senna had already passed away, but for Sato, who admired Senna and took the first step to become a racing driver, what was the attraction?

“I was conscious of trying to emulate Senna’s commitment to absolute speed, to concentrate on each lap, sacrificing everything else. Even though Honda was beginning to digitize its racing with the introduction of telemetry, I was fascinated by Senna, who was driving in F1 at a time when it was still all-analog, and simulations were not as advanced as they are today. He drove in a way that was simply beyond belief.”

After graduating at the top of his class from SRS-F, Sato gained a scholarship to compete in the Japan Formula 3 Championship, but moved to England mid-season to hasten his path to Formula 1.

“Senna was a big influence in my decision to enter the British F3 Championship. Part of my decision was based on British F3 being the closest category to F1 at the time, but it was also because Senna had come to England from Brazil, competed in Formula Ford, won British F3, won the Macau GP, and went on to F1. His footsteps became my career model, as a goal to achieve as well as a reference.”

Sato, who followed in Senna’s footsteps, indeed found his way to F1 in 2002.

“I was proud as a Japanese and as a driver to be a part of the Honda family just like Senna, and to be able to work with them in F1 and IndyCar. When I first moved up to F1, I was the first to go to the Tamburello corner at Imola, and when I went to Brazil, I visited his grave. He was my target, and I managed to beat him in British F3 wins to get into F1, so I wanted to say, ‘Thank you, I’m finally here now.’”

Sato raced in F1 from 2002 until the beginning of the 2008 season, before moving on to the North American IndyCar Series. There were many successes in Sato’s seven years in F1, with a best finish of third place, and tying the highest finish by a Japanese driver, but Senna remained his hero.

“To become a world champion in F1 is truly amazing. I had hopes, superimposing myself on Senna, such as being fast in rainy races, but in the end, I couldn’t become Senna, nor did I become world champion. But I think the reason I was able to continue the challenge in F1 all those years was because I emulated Senna’s attitude.”

Now, Takuma Sato continues his racing activities in North America, including the Indy 500. In 2019, he also became principal of HRS-Suzuka, his alma mater, and is engaged in training the next generation of drivers. Yet, Senna still lives on in Sato’s heart.

“Current top drivers of Super Formula are the driving instructors, so my role is to teach how to tackle racing as a driver. Senna had a mysterious charm, a magnetism, and everyone wanted to help him. I think the ultimate attracting forces were Senna and Michael Schumacher at that time. I hope that the kids who are now in our school and aspiring to become professionals will realize that it is important for them, like Senna, to create an environment where they can demonstrate their best by creating their own magnetism, becoming the center of the team, and gathering everyone’s strength.”