Takuma Sato continued his quest to experience circuits on the F1 calendar he has not raced on, by spending the past weekend in Monaco. The DHL Jordan Honda man was due to take part in yesterday's Monaco Historic Grand Prix, but unfortunately was unable to line up on the grid for the race itself.

Taku was at the wheel of the historic Lotus 49B which Graham Hill used to win in the Principality in 1968 and '69. Having got to grips with the car in the first practice session, he was pushing on in the second session, when he spun into the barriers at the Swimming Pool section. Sadly, the necessary spare parts were not available to repair the car for the race. "It was very slippery when the accident occurred," explained Sato. "I was really enjoying it and the power was okay, but there was just so much oil on the track and perhaps I was carrying a bit too much speed into the corner."

Nevertheless, the Japanese driver reckons it was a useful experience which will serve him well this weekend. "It's a shame about the accident but whenever I race I drive hard. The only way to learn a circuit is to drive to the maximum. Anyway, my objectives this weekend were to learn the circuit and have some fun and I have managed both of those. I think the experience will help me a lot this weekend as the circuit is so unique. It's just a shame it wasn't dry."

Equally important is the fact this was Sato's first time behind the wheel of a race car after his accident in the Austrian Grand Prix. "Physically I'm fine," reckoned Taku. "Now, I'm really looking forward to the Monaco Grand Prix."