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IndyCar: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing confirm Takuma Sato for 2020

By Asher Fair

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Takuma Sato of Japan, driver of the #30 ABeam Honda (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Takuma Sato of Japan, driver of the #30 ABeam Honda (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing have confirmed that Takuma Sato is set to return to the team for the fourth overall year and third consecutive year in the 2020 IndyCar season.

Takuma Sato has spent three of his 10 seasons in IndyCar driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, including the last two. The team have now confirmed that the 42-year-old Japanese driver is slated to return for his fourth overall season and this consecutive season with them next year.

Sato drove for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the 2012 season after spending the first two seasons of his career driving for KV Racing Technology.

He then spent the next four seasons driving for A.J. Foyt Enterprises before driving for Andretti Autosport in the 2017 season. He returned to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing ahead of the 2018 season and has driven the #30 Honda ever since.

Here is what Sato had to say about the opportunity to return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the 2020 season, according to IndyCar.

"“I am very happy to continue our path together again after this season. Every single member of the team is extremely loyal and have given me unbelievable support. I truly feel at home here and I am so proud of the team. We have had another great season this year and even had some tough times but it only made our relationship stronger. I can’t thank [team co-owners] Bobby [Rahal], Mike [Lanigan], David [Letterman] and entire team enough and I am looking forward to finishing the season strong and also looking forward to 2020.”"

Here is what team co-owner Bobby Rahal had to add.

"“We have been very pleased with the results and level of competition Takuma has shown this season. His two wins and two poles don’t fully indicate how competitive he has been overall this season and the fact that he was a contender at many other races. He is an integral part of our team which I believe we have shown. This decision allows us to keep the continuity and continue to build upon our program for 2020.”"

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Graham Rahal is also slated to return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing next season, as he signed a five-year contract extension with the team last June.

Sato has competed in 168 races over the course of his 10-year IndyCar career, and he has never missed a race throughout his career.

He has competed in 48 races for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and he has secured three of his five victories, eight of his 12 podium finishes and two of his nine pole positions driving for the team. Additionally, of his 709 career laps led, he has led 308 driving for the team.

Sato is in the midst of a career year this year with just one race remaining on the 17-race schedule, as he sits in a career-high sixth place in the championship standings with a career-high two victories, a career-high four podium finishes and a career-high two pole positions. His average finish of 11.94 is also a career-high, and he has led a career-high 200 laps.

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With Graham Rahal and Takuma Sato both confirmed at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the 2020 IndyCar season, the main questions surrounding the team pertain to whether or not they will add a third car next year. If so, who will they sign as their third driver?