Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has announced it will retain 2017 Indianapolis 500 winner and former Formula 1 driver Takuma Sato for the ’20 IndyCar season.
Sato rejoined RLLR at the start of 2018 after five seasons racing for the A J Foyt and Andretti squads, and has since has taken three victories.
He is currently sixth in the 2019 points standings heading into this weekend’s season finale at Laguna Seca after winning at Barber and Gateway, which is three places ahead of his team-mate Graham Rahal.
“I am very happy to continue our path together again after this season,” said Sato.
“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 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.”
Sato was widely expected to remain with RLLR for a third consecutive season, which will be his 11th in IndyCar.
“We have been very pleased with the results and level of competition Takuma has shown this season,” said RLLR co-owner Bobby Rahal.
“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 programme for 2020.”