Sato finished the race, but 2 laps down.

The blunder effectively put both Jordan EJ12s out of contention for points, but 25-year-old Sato defused the situation by apologising to Fisichella and every member of the team as soon as the race was over, promising "It won't happen again" in this week's Sunday Mirror.

Now the British Formula Three champion heads for the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix determined to show that he can keep pace with Fisichella, the Italian rated by team boss Eddie Jordan as number three in the world.
"I felt terrible for Fisi and everyone in the team in Malaysia,” admitted Takuma. “I was on a lighter fuel load than Fisi and we had an agreement that if I was faster I would be allowed to pass him. I now realise that wasn't the place to do it. He wasn't expecting me to try there and we collided. I was furious with myself. I told Fisi and the team I was sorry.
"They weren't happy with me but said I was forgiven. I just had to make sure I didn't do it again! Eddie spoke to me afterwards. He was disappointed but not angry with me.

"The important thing for me is to learn from it. This has certainly not affected my confidence. I love Formula One and I feel I belong here.
"Fisi is a very good and experienced driver but I want to be as quick as him by the end of the year. I think I can be."

The day was obviously a great disappointment for team boss Eddie Jordan, but he knows he has to put Malaysia behind him and look ahead. He gave Takuma a good talking to, but that is the end of the matter. "He got a good St Patrick's Day tongue-lashing from me and he won't be doing that again,” explained Eddie. “But we must be a little patient with him. This is a star in the making. I believe he is of the Senna/Schumacher ilk so I'm praying one of the big teams don't take him."