Takuma Sato proved to A.J. Foyt that the 36-year-old Japanese driver was a smart hire, deliver the quickest time in Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg third practice for his new team Saturday morning.
The new Foyt driver lapped St. Pete’s 14-turn, 1.8-mile street course in 01:01.5293 at 105.316 mph, not as quick as the best time of the day before. Overnight rain washed all the rubber off the track, leaving it very slippery—drivers could be seen fishtailing around corners, fighting for traction.
Sato had been fifth fastest the day before with a lap of 01:01.7703. His Saturday time proved the Honda engine isn’t lacking much compared to the Chevrolet.
