Marino Sato: "I don't know if I have many Japanese fans"

As every year at the 6 Hours of Fuji, Japanese supporters will come in large numbers to greet their favorite drivers, especially the locals of the stage like the drivers Toyota Kamui Kobayashi and Ryo Hirakawa.

Aligned in GT3 with the McLaren United Autosports' #720 3S LMGT95 Evo, Marino Sato is aware that he is not as well known as his compatriots.

« To be honest, I don't know if I have many Japanese fans, admits Marino Sato. I'm 25 years old, but I've never really raced professionally in Japan. I don't know how many people will come to see me. »

This is also partly explained by the fact that Marino Sato, through his international career via promotional formulas and then in Endurance, has rarely had the opportunity to ride in front of his home crowd.

« I haven't really been to any Japanese races, so I don't know what the atmosphere is like there, he adds. MBut in the past there was the Japanese Endurance Championship, so Endurance is definitely something huge here. »

After discovering the 24 Hours of Le Mans This year (abandoned), the Tokyo native hopes to discover another legendary event in the world of Endurance: Daytona. A world where the young man landed last year after three full seasons in Formula 2.

« There are some big races that I have always wanted to do, like Le Mans and Daytona. It was a big turning point after moving from Formula 2 to the European Le Mans Series last year. I am really enjoying my time with the team and the championship. »

Like any pilot arriving from the car, Marino Sato had to adapt to a new way of looking at his relationships with his teammates. I have always gotten along well with my teammates in the past.he says. But here you share the car. Even if you are fast, if the other two are not, you cannot win. So everyone has to develop as a team. " In WEC, he shares the car with Joshua Caygill and Nicolas Pino, a trio who reached the podium in Brazil.

In addition to his FIA World Endurance Championship program, Marino Sato also competes in LM P2 in the European Le Mans Series (vice-champion in 2023), still with United Autosports. With the Hypercar in his sights? I wouldn't say it's a goal, but I think it's my first big checkpoint in my career, the interested party answers. I am open. So I am looking for an opportunity. »

Super Formula could also present itself as an interesting future opportunity for the Tokyo native, which would allow him to increase his popularity with the Japanese public.

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