Written by Dan Jones
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Takuma Sato, will once again feature in the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' in 2025 after today's announcement that Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) will field a fourth entry for the Japanese driver, which also confirms that bumping will be a feature of the 109th Running of the Race.
Sato, 48, won the 104th Running of the race with the team in 2020, with a late-race caution sealing his second success at the Speedway after his maiden victory with Andretti Autosport in 2017. Sato has raced for the team at the '500' in 2012, 2018-2021 and returned in a fourth entry last year, where he qualified 10th and finished 14th.
This will mark Sato's 16th time at the Indianapolis 500, having taken part in every edition since 2013, where he has claimed four top ten finishes. He infamously crashed out on the final lap in 2012 when battling with Dario Franchitti for the victory - in his first Indianapolis 500 with RLL.
“I’m very excited to return to the 109th Indy 500 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing," said Sato. "Once again, a heartfelt thank you to Bobby, Mike, David, and the entire organization for this incredible opportunity. I’m also deeply grateful for the continued support from AMADA as the primary sponsor, alongside Panasonic Automotive Systems, Niterra, Deloitte Tohmatsu, NAC, Honda, HRC, and all our loyal sponsors."
The new No. 75 car carries over RLL’s historic design with a refreshed and dynamic new livery – it looks absolutely stunning. Last year was an incredible experience, reconnecting with the team, and this year, even more familiar faces have joined the effort, which makes this moment even more special and gives me great confidence. I can’t wait to get to work.”
The team have had mixed fortunes at the event since Sato's victory in 2020. Graham Rahal lost a tyre exiting pit road in 2021 which eliminated his chances at victory after being in contention. The teams fortunes have worsened since then, Rahal being the individual bumped in 2023, after RLL's cars made up three of the four bump day entries, before Rahal narrowly escaped being bumped from the field in 2024.
Team co-owner, Bobby Rahal, said: "We are excited to have Takuma part of our Indy 500 program again. His experience, talent and bravado at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in particular, is evident by his two wins. The work ethic he brings, in addition to his attention to detail, adds immeasurable value to our program. We are thrilled to have AMADA return as the primary sponsor for the entry. They continue to be an integral part of our racing programs, not only for the Indy 500. We utilize their equipment on a daily basis and couldn’t be happier with our partnership.”
This will mark the third consecutive season the team have fielded a fourth entry, after Sato raced for the team last year and Katherine Legge the year prior. In their ranks for 2025, Louis Foster will battle for the Rookie of the Year crown, whlist Devlin DeFrancesco will return to the '500' after a year out in 2024.
Mike Lanigan, fellow team co-owner, stated: "Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is very proud to have Takuma Sato back at the Indy 500. Takuma has always been quick at the speedway and his two wins confirm his abilities at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. I personally look forward with great optimism, to be the team that gives Takuma the opportunity to win the trifecta and am thankful to have AMADA as primary sponsor again.”
Sato's confirmation brings the field to a total of 34 cars, which per Indianapolis tradition, will require bump day to be held the week prior to the race, and one person's Indianapolis 500 dream to end before it even begins. Sato joins Kyle Larson, Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, Hélio Castroneves, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Jack Harvey as the Indy-only entries.
Always an exciting watch at the Speedway for his aggressive driving style and on-the-edge action, Sato's return will be one welcomed by many, and giving the confirmation that bump day will return to the Indianapolis 500 in the 109th Running of the Race.
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