By BAR F1 (01/07/2004)
July 1 2004

Takuma Sato arrives back in Europe full of confidence after stepping on the coveted F1 podium for the very first time at Indianapolis. Having made the big breakthrough in North America, he's now gunning for further success in this weekend's French Grand Prix on a circuit which should suit the Lucky Strike BAR Honda 006 and its Michelin tyres.

Although the Magny-Cours track has changed slightly since he last raced there in 2002, Taku believes it represents one of the better and more challenging venues on the F1 calendar. "Magny Cours is an interesting circuit because it always produces an exciting race!" he says. "You start with the cars' set-up low as the track is very smooth, but you need to have a good amount of grip for the tight corners and good traction for the hairpins.

"The first corner of the circuit is Grand Courbe, a very fast left-hander taken at top speed and in a high gear. The G-loads are high through this part so you really have to keep the car stable as you drive through the corner.

"Once you exit the Grand Courbe you go around Estoril. This is a sweeping right-hander taken in fourth gear and it is very important to get a good line through here as you need to gather speed for the long back straight. During the race, the end of this straight is the place to overtake when you are braking for entry to the Adelaide Hairpin. This hairpin is tricky, as you are braking down from over 300kmh but still need to carry enough speed through the corner itself to get a good exit.

"Next is the first high-speed chicane which you go through in fifth gear at 240kmh before braking and turning into the next hairpin. This is taken in second gear, at 80kmh, before going flat out to the blind Imola chicane which you enter at almost 290kmh. This is quite an interesting chicane because it undulates and goes away from you downhill.

"The last section of the track was modified last year so I haven't driven but I can tell you a little. Following Imola you brake quite hard for the Chateaux D'eau, a corner you take in second gear and at about 90kmh. Again you need a good exit from here to get a good run down to the last section of the track.

"The final section starts with a flat left-hander followed by a tight right-hand bend. Then it is a short burst of speed to another tight right-left chicane that feeds onto the pit straight and it is across the start-finish line to start another lap."