Following his remarkable performance at Indianapolis, when he became the first Japanese driver to stand on an F1 podium since Aguri Suzuki (Lola) finished 3rd behind Nelson Piquet and Roberto Moreno at Suzuka in 1990, Takuma Sato is being tipped for big things, by Honda.

The Japanese giant's motorsport boss, Otmar Szafnauer, is confident that Sato has the potential to become the first Japanese driver to win a Grand Prix.

"He's got the potential to do it," said Szafnauer, following Sato's remarkable performance at Indy, when in one move he passed both Mark Webber and David Coulthard.

"The package is there," he continued. "He's proven that he's quick enough to do it and it could happen this year."

Despite moments of brilliance, there have also been moments of extreme silliness, causing some to doubt the Japanese driver's mind-set. Following a move on Barrichello at the Nurburgring, the Brazilian labelled his Japanese rival "an amateur".

However, whereas Jenson Button gets the media adulation, Sato has continued improving, his bravery and sheer pace leaving many, including Szafnauer, in no doubt that the youngster has tremendous potential.

"He drove a great race," he said. "Hopefully this will dispel some of the speculation that Taku's driving style is what causes our engine failures. He fought very hard and he had to fight to get through the field and drove very hard and the engine survived."