F-1's Sato set for China promotional visit

December 13, 2003; Takuma will make his first visit to China

Following in the footsteps of his teammate, Jenson Button, Lucky Strike BAR Honda’s Takuma Sato is set to tour China next week as part of a promotional visit aimed at building the Brackley-based team’s profile in the country, prior to the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix on 26 September 2004. He will be accompanied by BAR New Business Director, Andrew Couper, who will be meeting with business leaders and politicians in the region throughout the trip.

Takuma will arrive in Beijing on Tuesday, 16 December, and will embark on a day of publicity activities, including a webchat for Chinese F1 fans via BAR team partner SINA, one of the leading online media information service providers for China and global Chinese communities. The afternoon will finish with a photoshoot at some of Beijing’s historical landmarks.

Following an evening in the company of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, in which BAR’s aim is to forge closer business links, Takuma will fly on to Shanghai, where an action-packed day in Shanghai is planned. Takuma will have lunch with the Japanese Consulate before carrying out a press conference at the Shanghai Automobile Race and Utility Vehicle Exhibition, where he will appear alongside the BAR Honda 005. He will then be taken on a trip along the infamous Bund, where ancient Shanghai meets high-tech architecture, and a night-time tour of Shanghai before flying back to the UK.

Takuma Sato commented: “Even though China is very close geographically to my home country, it is a place I have never been, and for that reason alone I am very excited to be visiting Beijing and Shanghai next week. I spoke to Jenson after he visited China following the Japanese Grand Prix and it sounds like the race next year is going to be very special. I think it’s important for all the teams to establish close relationships with important people in China before the race so that everyone works well together at the Grand Prix next year.”