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FUJI - As a teenager Takuma Sato pedalled around the Fuji Speedway circuit dreaming his bicycle was a Formula One car.
The Japanese driver completed free practice in a more powerful machine - his Honda-powered Super Aguri car - ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.
Sato's fastest lap was one minute, 21.186 seconds, way off McLaren's championship leader Lewis Hamilton, who was quickest in 1:18.734.
Sato has fond memories of his days racing bikes around the Fuji track, nestled in the foothills of Mount Fuji, and is delighted Formula One has returned to the revamped layout after an absence of 30 years.
"It was good fun today to finally drive on it and it is (Japan's) home grand prix so it is a great atmosphere," said Sato, who once dreamed of riding in the Tour de France.
"But at the time I cycled around it, it was the old Fuji circuit so it is fundamentally different and I can't compare it."
Sato has done well on home soil during a sometimes turbulent Formula One career. He earned his first points at Suzuka with a fifth-place finish in the final race of his debut season for Jordan in 2002.
In the points
The 30-year-old has finished in the points three times in five races in Japan and is hoping to carry his Suzuka form over to the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway circuit.
"It's where you are," said Sato, in his second season with Super Aguri.
"The Japanese Grand Prix is the Japanese Grand Prix -- it's nothing different for me. The new circuit is another challenge.
"Hopefully we can transform the atmosphere of Suzuka to Fuji and have a good weekend."
Sato has won four points for Super Aguri this year after a difficult 2006 following his switch from BAR.
"I must say it has been a fantastic showing, bearing in mind it is only the second year," he said.
"Of course, we are a little behind on the development speed compared to the bigger teams and the second half of the season we were struggling a bit."
Sato added: "We have come back to the Japanese Grand Prix, though, with some good performances in our pocket and that's because of a fantastic job by the team."
- REUTERS
