Sato ready to return

Takuma Sato cannot wait to get back behind the wheel in Bahrain after an unscheduled weekend off for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old Japanese driver practised on the Friday at Sepang but came down with a fever, which forced his BAR-Honda team to draft in tester Anthony Davidson as a replacement.

But Sato has recovered from his illness and will be back at the wheel in Bahrain this weekend, where he will target BAR’s first points of the season.

He said: “After my unfortunate circumstance in Malaysia, I can’t wait to get back into the car in Bahrain.

“Last year, at the same race, I had a strong weekend. I finished in the points in fifth position, and so I am really looking forward to going back there.”