The 2002 season saw the debut of Takuma Sato, having been hired by the Jordan team due to his relationship with Honda. His debut season was one of contrasts, from a 5th-place finish in his home race to a spectacular crash in Austria. His inconsistency led to him being replaced by Ralph Firman for the season. He was hired by B.A.R. as a test driver for the 2003 season and was elevated to a race seat for the last race of the season following the departure of Jacques Villeneuve. The next 2 seasons were also contrasting - from scoring his only podium finish at the 2004 United States Grand Prix to the suspension of the team's competition for a period of the 2005 season. He was hired by Aguri Suzuki's team for the 2006 season and spearheaded the backmarker team for its lifespan. He scored the only points for the team at the Spanish and Canadian round of the 2007 season before his career ended when the Super Aguri team pulled out before the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix. He attempted to join Scuderia Toro Rosso for 2009 but was unsuccessful.