Takuma Sato suffers huge crash at Indy 500 Open Test

Two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato suffered a big crash on day two of the Indy 500 open test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In the morning session, the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver lost control of his car in Turn 1 and spun into the wall, damaging the entire left side of his No. 75 Honda.

The sound of the crash was deafening. Sato's car spun a couple more times after the crash before coming to a halt in front of the Turn 2 grandstands. The medical team and the towing car were immediately on the scene. He came out of the car shortly after it stopped to the relief and applause of the fans in the stands.

Sato was the fastest driver in the qualifying-simulation session with a speed of 232.565 mph He became the second driver to crash in 30 minutes after NASCAR champ Kyle Larson lost his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevy coming out of Turn 1 because of understeer. Larson was checked by the medical team and returned to the track unscathed.

Takuma Sato's loud crash took place when Larson was back on the track and in conversation with IndyCar reporter Tony Donohue. Upon witnessing it, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion said:

"Wow! That’s a little more scary hearing it."

The 109th running of the Indy 500 on May 25 will be Sato's 16th attempt at the race. He has won the Greatest Spectacle of Racing twice - in 2017 with Andretti Autosport and in 2020 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

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Takuma Sato 'heartbroken' after Indy 500 test crash

Takuma Sato at the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 - Source: Getty

Takuma Sato was seen and released from the medical center after his crash. The Japanese driver complained about a little pain but seemed more concerned about the damage to his No. 75 RLL Honda.

In an interview with reporter Georgia Henneberry after coming out of the medical center, Sato said:

"Little bruises and little pain, of course, but I am okay. I simply lost it, maybe went too quick, I don't know. We need to speak to the team, but it's hard, you know. My body is fine. Within a week, I'll be back in 100%. Just the car, I lost the car. It's heartbreaking."

After day one of testing on Wednesday, Sato was satisfied with the performance of his No. 17 car and also praised the new hybrid power units on Indy cars, which he found to be a "game-changer". Though he found the increased weight of the cars to be a "downside", he preferred to have this new challenge.