Takuma Sato always knew the Japanese Grand Prix might be just a little bit busier than usual, but even so he could not have been prepared for the huge level of interest and fan worship he has been subjected to since arriving in his home land.  Although dealing with Paddock Club appearances is something our Japanese rookie has grown used to during the year, at this event he felt the full force of his fans’ adulation as he had to venture out into the public area to meet spectators at Honda and Bridgestone enclosures.

Shortly after qualifying a fantastic seventh on the grid, he was mobbed by hundreds of screaming fans as he tried to walk up the stairs of the main grandstand opposite the pits to get to his next appointment. Half an hour later he was back in the garage, visible shaking from the shock of it all. But as today’s performance proved, if anything all this pressure is working in his favour.