Being the reigning Indianapolis 500 champion pretty much takes over every aspect of your life, but don't expect 2017 Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato to complain about it, even for a second.
In fact, his non-stop schedule since his victory and the reverence for the Indy 500 winner among fans has opened his eyes to the huge significance of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
“I feel how dynamic and powerful the Indy 500 is,” said Sato, insisting that understanding the accomplishment was almost stupefying. “It's one of the most exciting things that happened in my life – it was definitely a life-changing moment winning the 2017 Indianapolis 500.”
Talk to any Indianapolis 500 champion and they'll tell you that the victory puts them in an exclusive club of drivers – including Sato, there are only 70 members – who will forever be known as a winner of the biggest race in the world.
The start of the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season next week marks the end of whirlwind winter for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver after he spent most of the last five months traveling to appearances.
“Every week and every month, there was some kind of event or ceremony related to the 500, whether it’s getting an award or an unveiling for the trophy. They were all incredible moments,” Sato said.
“It's the busiest I have ever been in the winter. It's both good and bad. The downside is obviously that it sucks all the private time I have – almost zero time – but it's a happy, crazy time.”
One huge milestone was accompanying the famed Borg-Warner Trophy on a tour to his native Japan, marking the first time the iconic award traveled outside the United States.
On the December trip across the Pacific, Sato appeared with the trophy at Honda World Headquarters, at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, at manufacturing facilities in Nabari and Fukuroi, as well as a fan club event. He also stopped for a photo op with the Borg-Warner at iconic Mt. Fuji.
The experience offered Sato incredible insight into how revered the race is globally and the immense appreciation that people have for those who come out on top.
The upside of Sato’s packed schedule is that the offseason flew past and the new one seems to be here much more quickly than in previous years.
“Sometimes, I feel that with the INDYCAR season ending in September, it seems like forever before we get to testing for the next one,” he said, “but honestly I have been so busy after winning the Indy 500 that I feel I haven't had enough time.”
While Sato can expect to be in high demand this year as reigning Indianapolis 500 champion, he also faces being “old news” if he doesn’t repeat in May. Just ask 2016 champion Alexander Rossi, who handed the reigns of Indianapolis 500 winner to Sato last year and found his interview and appearance schedule more open as the Verizon IndyCar Series prepared for the next race weekend.
“Oh, I see, I don’t get phone calls anymore,” the Andretti Autosport driver quipped after seeing the media and fan focus switch from his pit box to Sato's at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear – the race weekend following the Indianapolis 500 – when the two were teammates last season.
Losing that notoriety is something Sato would like to avoid: Despite having the Indianapolis 500 win take over his life, Sato has zero doubt that he'd love to do it again this year.
“Going into May as the defending champion of the Indy 500, I really feel positive and excited about it. I don't feel any pressure, it's just a very healthy kind of feeling,” said Sato, who hopes to become the 20th multiple winner on May 27.
“I'm just enjoying every moment and hopefully it will continue to the 2018 Indy 500 and we will feel the same feeling again. That's the ambition.”the same feeling again. That's the ambition.”