*SATO DREAMS FULL TIME OF THIRD ‘500’ WIN IN PART-TIME CGR RIDE

*原標(biāo)題：佐藤夢(mèng)想以CGR車手身份，第三次奪得Indy 500冠軍

**譯文版權(quán)up所有，原文及圖片摘自Indycar官網(wǎng)，有刪減。

Veteran NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver Takuma Sato had much to consider while pursuing rides for the 2023 season. Did he want to be full time or big time?

為了在2023發(fā)車區(qū)占據(jù)一席之地，Indy老兵佐藤琢磨沒少花心思，到底是在一年都在小角落里混跡，還是在大舞臺(tái)上偶爾發(fā)光？

He chose the latter.

他選擇了后者。

In being confirmed to a partial-season role with Chip Ganassi Racing, Sato landed with arguably his best chance to win the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Only Team Penske has won the “500” more often than Chip Ganassi’s organization, and the chance to join the 14-time INDYCAR SERIES champion was too good to pass up.

現(xiàn)在，佐藤成為了Chip Ganassi車隊(duì)的一名非全季車手，但這卻給了他贏得Indy500的最好機(jī)會(huì)。在Indy500的冠軍榜上，只有Penske車隊(duì)能夠比Ganassi車隊(duì)奪下更多冠軍。沒人會(huì)傻到放棄加盟一直14次Indy總冠軍豪門的機(jī)會(huì)。

The downside is, Sato will only drive CGR’s No. 11 Honda in the series’ five oval races as newcomer Marcus Armstrong has the seat for the road courses and street circuits. Sato will make his season debut April 2 in the race at Texas Motor Speedway.

美中不足的是，佐藤琢磨需要同新秀阿姆斯特朗分享11號(hào)賽車，后者會(huì)出站所有的街道和場(chǎng)地賽，日本老將則負(fù)責(zé)橢圓賽。也就是說，4.2的德克薩斯站將是佐藤的賽季首秀。

“It’s something I need to get used to,” Sato said of his new limited role. “I still don’t know exactly how I feel -- everyone would be delighted to be full season, of course … (but) going to Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Chip Ganassi Racing is attractive enough to overcome what the part-time duties are, I believe.

“我得習(xí)慣習(xí)慣這個(gè)新角色，”談及這次的非全季席位，佐藤說道，“我其實(shí)還都不確定自己到底是什么感覺，畢竟每個(gè)人都會(huì)覺得有全職機(jī)會(huì)會(huì)更開心，這很自然…不過，我想能夠作為Ganassi車手參加Indy500，這樣的機(jī)會(huì)足以彌補(bǔ)非全職的遺憾了?！?/p>

“Being in this series for 13 years, I have fantastic memories in a full-time (ride), and I think I’m very fortunate to still be racing. Initially I wasn’t fully happy not going to the full season, but now I feel such an encouragement, such a positive feeling. That’s why I don’t mind anymore.”

“我在這里已經(jīng)13個(gè)賽季了，作為全職車手有著美妙的回憶，我覺得我還能繼續(xù)賽車已經(jīng)很幸運(yùn)了。一開始我是對(duì)于無法參與全賽季感到有點(diǎn)不高興，不過現(xiàn)在我只覺得倍受鼓舞，一切都很積極，再也不覺得有什么好介意的了。”

“It worked out for both of us in a perfect way,” Sato said. “I’m extremely happy with the outcome.”

“現(xiàn)在的結(jié)果對(duì)我們雙方都是最完美的，”佐藤繼續(xù)說道，“我真的很開心?！?/p>

Ironically, Sato will work to win this “500” with the former driver he was challenging for the lead on the last lap of the 2012 race. Sato lost control of his car in Turn 1 that day, and Dario Franchitti didn’t and won for the third time. Since retiring, Franchitti has been CGR’s driver consultant.

造化弄人，這次佐藤琢磨的500沖冠之路上，他需要同2012年的對(duì)頭們一同合作，當(dāng)年最后一圈的激烈爭(zhēng)斗還歷歷在目呢。佐藤在一號(hào)彎不幸失控，把勝利拱手讓給了第三次奪冠的達(dá)里奧·弗朗基蒂。而現(xiàn)在Ganassi車隊(duì)的車手顧問正式退役的弗朗基蒂。

Dixon finished second in the 2012 “500,” avoiding Sato’s spinning car. Sato laughed at the thought of joining his combatants from that fateful moment.

另一位隊(duì)內(nèi)大佬迪克森當(dāng)時(shí)躲過了佐藤的失控賽車，拿到了亞軍。如此命運(yùn)的同自己的對(duì)手重逢，佐藤琢磨自己也禁不住笑了。

“I never pictured myself with Chip Ganassi Racing going to the Indy 500 – ever,” he said. “But it is happening. This is one of the most exciting moments in INDYCAR in my career.”

“我從沒想過，有一天自己會(huì)以Ganassi車手的身份參加Indy 500，從來沒有，”佐藤琢磨表示，“到現(xiàn)在這都成了現(xiàn)實(shí)，這是我Indy生涯最激動(dòng)人心的時(shí)刻了?！?/p>

原文地址：

https://www.indycar.com/news/2023/01/01-19-sato-feature