IndyCar driver Takuma Sato says he will learn from dramatic Indy 500 experience

Takuma Sato starts to spin after contact with Dario Franchitti on the final lap of the Indianapolis 500.

Takuma Sato said he's spent the week thinking through the emotions of last week's Indianapolis 500, which ended with his last-lap crash trying to pass Dario Franchitti in turn one.

He talked to reporters about it during the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix:

Question: Can you talk about the reception you've received since your bold move to win the Indianapolis 500?

Sato: I didn't know how big [the 500] was. After a couple of days now, when I leave Indianapolis International Airport, so many people, so many people, it seemed like every person who came past me came up with big smiles. It was unbelievable. I kind of knew because [I was in] Indianapolis, but when I came to Detroit and go past the Canadian border, they even knew what happened in the race at Indy. I was like, ‘OK, that is good.' I have got a huge reception from the fans. I really appreciate it.

Question: You had made that same move earlier in the race, right?

Sato: A lap before. Because of the wind direction, which was very difficult to see from the TV or understand from the spectators' point of view, the wind was a tailwind [out of] turn two. In turn three, I tried to overtake Ganassi cars early in the race, and it was impossible. I knew it had to be done in turn one, I knew it. lap 199 when Dario and I had a really good tow with Scott. It was exactly the same situation, but Scott gave us enough room and we both got through it. I had confidence I was able to catch Dario with the very next lap, the very last lap. I set it up nicely, and I had to go flat in turns three and four with sixth gear, a little bit of slide, but I was able to catch Dario with a very nice tow. In turn one, it was tight, but the move was made before turn-in. Unfortunately, it was so tight and perhaps he didn't give me enough for room for that. I dropped a wheel on the white line. I was applying only 20 percent of the throttle over there. I tried to calm the car down whatever I could do. But unfortunately the rear slid.

Question: Would you have done anything differently than Dario had you been in his position?

Sato: It's easy to say now after seeing everything. At the time, I know Dario knew I was coming, and I knew I was going to. It was just instantly. We are talking 225 mph turning. You're talking about a couple of inches difference. I wanted to make sure not to contact him. That was all my focus. It's just one of those unfortunate things. If I had the same chance again, I'd do the same thing. Perhaps I would do something slightly different, but it was very close.

Question: Do you have any regrets about the move?

Sato: Not at all. I was going for the win. That was my chance. Down the main straight I got a big tow, not like we both turned in aggressively, not like that. The move was made before he actually turned in. Once he went out, I was already inside. You can see the replay. It was a very tight entry. The angle of that corner, we both had to lift big-time after turn-in. As I said, I only had 20 percent throttle.

Question: Do you see that moment in your sleep?

Sato: I was too excited even today. I still remember all the emotions. You have to learn from there what we can do in the future. At the moment, that was the maximum I could do and unfortunately it just didn't work out in our favor.

Question: Did you think you were going to make it work in Turn 1?

Sato: Yes.

Question: Dario took you pretty low on the track at the end of the front straightaway.

Sato: At that time I had no choice. The moment I dive into him, I sort of said ‘job done.' I was thinking we both go to the [outside] a little to have a better entry and get a better arc, but instantly he decided to come back into me if you see the replay. So I was forced to come into [the turn] very low. I can show you [on the computer] what I did. I gave slight break there, downshift and maintained 20 percent trying to hang in there. But as he kept coming kept coming I was hoping that we'd both go through that corner, it just didn't happen.

Question: Dario was fortunate not to crash also.

Sato: I feel really fortunate, too. If we both go off it's obviously not good. At least it was only me.

Question: Everyone has their opinion on the incident. On the inside, what do you think? Do you kick yourself?

Sato: I thought I made a best shot that I could and at that time I did everything that I could. It just was one of those unfortunate incidents that didn't come out as we wish. But at that position down the main straight, a driver (will take) an opportunity on the very last lap. I saw the big wing of the Ganassi car and I knew I had the momentum to get inside him. The spotter was pretty excited. It was a nice moment up until I got sideways.

Question: Do you believe you'll get another chance to win the 500?

Sato: I hope so. I hope now I have a good experience in the Indy 500. I really enjoyed the race. I can't wait to come back to the 500 next year. It's going to be another challenge, but I think we'll have another chance.

Question: Did you have a chance to talk to Dario about it?

Sato: Yes.

Question: What was that like?

Sato: Obviously two drivers talking about two drivers going for the win, so we have a slightly different angle (perspective). I wouldn't say any more. But it's OK. We were OK off the track. And on track he's going to be very difficult to overtake as everyone knows. I will keep on pushing.

Question: How was it different the lap prior with Dixon?

Sato: It was exactly the same position only he gave a half of a car more room.

Question: Some have described your move as kamikaze and bonsai. Are those inappropriate words to you?

Sato: Very inappropriate. Kamikaze and bonsai isn't like planning to have confidence. We weren't like that. In Indy 500, a professional driver would never do that. You have a commitment and a confidence.

Question: So what you did was calculated.

Sato: Yes.

Question: Did you embrace Indianapolis Motor Speedway from the first time you saw it?

Sato: I love Indy, really. Literally the very first time I came in 2009, bump day, I was inside of turn one and cars were screaming 230 mph down the straight. Coming into turn one, the driver was actually correcting [the wheel], the car was sliding off from apex to the exit. I never thought I was going to do it; I never can do this. I gave so much respect to the drivers for what they do. When I jumped into the car the next year with [KV], it was so much fun, so much fun.