Indy win helps 'correct' risky 2012 move - Sato

Takuma Sato says his 2017 Indianapolis 500 victory for Andretti Autosport is redemption for crashing out five years ago after an attempted last-lap pass on eventual winner Dario Franchitti.

In 2012, Franchitti took the lead from his Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon on the penultimate lap, with Sato's Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing car following him through into second place. On the final lap, Sato attempted a pass on Franchitti in Turn 1, but spun and hit the wall (pictured below). Franchitti continued and won the race, with Dixon second.

"I do feel after 2012 that I really needed to correct something I left over," said the 40-year-old Japanese. "Today I was so happy that I made it and won in a good move, and I have to thank Michael [Andretti] for that.

"In 2012, going into Turn 1 with Dario was a big risk. But you always learn something from those situations, and this time we proved we had what it takes. When Helio [Castroneves] was coming with three laps to go, on a big charge into Turn 1, we went side-by-side, but this time I ended up still pointing in the right direction and still leading. It was job done, and the last two laps the car worked beautifully."

In seven previous Indy 500s, Sato's best start was 10th in 2011, with a best finish of 13th in 2013 and '15. This year – his first with Andretti – he qualified fourth, led 17 laps, including the final six, and set the race's fastest lap at 226.190mph.

"This whole month at Indy, we've worked seamlessly with my teammates through practice and qualifying," he said. "In the race, I just got on with my job, believed in the car, had fantastic pit stops from my crew, and we got it done. Whether it's the first or the eight attempt, this is the best place to win a race. It's the history, the fans going crazy – it's just superb and I love this place."