F1’s Sato almost wins Indy 500

Former F1 driver Takuma Sato almost won Sunday’s running of the fabled Indy 500.

Instead, the Japanese 35-year-old, the former Jordan, Honda and Super Aguri driver until 2008, crashed into the wall after an audacious last-lap attempt to pass Dario Franchitti, who went on to win under yellow flags.

The Indianapolis Star’s Bob Kravitz said the move was "brave; it was stupid. It was courageous; it was irresponsible.

"If it had worked ... it would have become the stuff of legend".

Former Toyota test driver Ryan Briscoe, the polesitter, finished fifth, while ex Minardi and Jaguar racer Justin Wilson was seventh.

Rubens Barrichello finished his first Indy 500 11th, while former Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Bourdais was 20th.

Jean Alesi, with his heavily underpowered Lotus engine, was disqualified for running slower than the allowed 105 per cent.