Sato and STR a good fit for 2009 – report
It emerged recently that, following Honda-backed Aguri's demise in May, the 31-year-old turned down offers to contest Le Mans and American series in order to focus on resurrecting his F1 career.
"There is nothing concrete yet. I am speaking with some teams," he said at the time.
The authoritative Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell now reports that Sato, who contested approaching 100 grands prix since his debut for Jordan in 2002, is being speculatively linked with one of the Toro Rosso race seats for 2009.
The Faenza based team has potentially two spots to fill at the end of the year, given Sebastian Vettel's confirmed switch to senior outfit Red Bull, and the disappointing form of his teammate Sebastien Bourdais.
Co-owner Gerhard Berger has said his ideal lineup for 2009 would be a youngster – for example Bruno Senna or Sebastien Buemi – alongside a more experienced teammate.
Motorsport Aktuell reports that Sato is a potential candidate not only for his experience and fighting qualities, but to assist in the development of energy drink partner Red Bull's penetration of the tough Japanese market.
[Editor's Note: Unless STR is switching from Ferrari to Honda engines we doubt the Honda backed Sato will end up at STR, unless of course Honda pays for Sato to drive a Ferrari powered car, which would seem unlikely. Sato is a decent driver, but we do not see him doing any better a job for STR than Bourdais is doing. In the past Sato has never been 'star' material.]