Takuma Sato has a new home in the IZOD IndyCar Series.

The Japanese driver will join Rahal Letterman Lanigan as the driver of the team's No. 15 Honda for the 2012 season.

“We anticipate having a very strong season together,” said team co-owner Bobby Rahal. “While we were determined to have an experienced driver for this season, we also needed someone that knew how to get to the front and Takuma has shown that he can do that, and we expect to have a great opportunity to win races this year. He has made great strides through the last two seasons in IndyCar and I have no doubt that we can produce a strong effort with him leading the team.”

Sato, who made 91 starts over seven seasons in F1 before switching to the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2010, made great strides in the series last season. A two-time IndyCar Series pole winner in 2011, Sato hopes to build on a successful sophomore season that saw him earn three top-five finishes, seven top-10s and lead 61 laps on his way to a 13th-place finish in the point standings.

"I’m very proud, motivated and excited to be chosen by Bobby to join his big project,” Sato said. “This team I feel has got huge potential. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has got a great history and record of winning so my motivation is ever so high and I am extremely thrilled to start the new season. With a new car for everybody, I am confident that we’ll be up to speed very quickly."

RLL returns to full-time IZOD IndyCar Series competition in 2012 for the first time since 2008. The Indianapolis-based team is currently readying the car for its first preseason tests and expects to participate in the IndyCar Series open testing at Sebring in March. 

The team is also finalizing its plans for a second car and intends to have it ready for preseason testing as well. The final sponsor and driver lineup for 2012 will be announced in the near future.