3.12 Ukyo Katayama
Description
This article is from the Formula One Motor Racing FAQ, by mitchmcc@ultranet.com (Mitchell McCann) with numerous contributions by others.
3.12 Ukyo Katayama
Nationality: Japanese
Age - DOB: 33 - May 29th, 1963
Born: Tokyo
Resident: Tokyo and Monaco
Current team: Minardi
Former team(s): Larrousse, Tyrrell
After graduating high school in 1982, Katayama trained as a
mechanic at the Tsukuba Circuit in Japan before switching to
driving, taking class and championships in FJ1600, after winning
his very first race from pole position. In 1985 he graduated to
the All Japan F3 Series with the Nissan Hasemi team and finished
6th in the championship. In 1986, he moved to France competing
in the National Formula Renault and French F3 series. In 1988 he
returned to Japan competing in the Japanese F3000 Championship
for Ba-Tsu Racing in '88, Footwork in '89 and Cabin in '90 and
'91 - winning the championship in '91.
1992 marked Katayama's Formula 1 debut with Venturi Larrousse
with two top 10 finishes. In 1993, he moved to Tyrrell where he
stayed for four seasons with somewhat limited success. He scored
5 points in 1994 but in 95 he finished 4 races and his best
finish was 7th in the German GP. Katayama was involved in a scary
accident at the start of the Portuguese GP when he locked wheels
with Badoer and was launched into the air, somersaulting down the
track. He did not sustain any serious injuries and missed only
one race. After a poor performance in 1996, high lighted by no
points and a suspended ban for his crash at Montreal, he has
moved a little futher back on the grid to join the Minardi team.
Ukyo is married with two children.
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