Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato will not return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the 2022 season, the team announced on Tuesday evening (Oct. 5)
Sato had driven the team’s No. 30 entry for the past four seasons in the NTT IndyCar Series, compiling four wins including the 2020 Indy 500. The Tokyo native also drove for the team in the 2012 season.
Thank You, @TakumaSatoRacer.
It has been a privilege and honor to have you at our team, not once but two times.
We are forever grateful for the dedication, energy and success you brought. You will always be part of our family.
?❤️?
A few of our favorites ?? pic.twitter.com/bmNCkSreWZ
— Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (@RLLracing) October 5, 2021
“It was a privelege and honor to have Takuma with us twice over the years,” RLL Racing co-owner Bobby Rahal said in a team release. “We appreciate the commitment and the energy he brough every day to the track and to everything that we were doing as a team.
“Of course, we are forever indebted to him for bringing the PeopleReady car home first in the 2020 Indy 500. It was a special moment for me personally, for Mike [Lanigan] and his family and for our entire team. What a fantastic victory. I always really enjoyed working with Takuma. His dedication and commitment to not just his craft, but also the team was unquestionable. We wish him all the best on his next opportunity. I would like to think we will always remain friends because we just enjoyed each other’s company.”
Thank you Bobby and Mike once again for giving me wonderful opportunities to drive for @RLLracing not just once but twice. I was very proud to be part of the program and happily our mission completed✔️ #2012to2020INDY500 pic.twitter.com/MrhoM37jlG
— Takuma Sato (@TakumaSatoRacer) October 6, 2021
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Takuma, not only for his capabilities on the track, but also how he handles himself off the track,” co-owner Mike Lanigan said. “I will always be grateful for what he has done for the team and for the success he has brought, particularly for winning the 2020 Indianapolis 500.”
About the author
Michael Massie is a writer for Frontstretch. Massie, a Richmond, Va. native, has been a NASCAR superfan since childhood, when he frequented races at Richmond International Raceway. Massie is a lover of short track racing and travels around to the ones in his region. Outside of motorsports, the Virginia Tech grad can be seen cheering on his beloved Hokies.
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Who made that decision? Bobby, David, Mike or Graham.