CARTOON: Sato's 'hopeless ambition'.

Having already irritated seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher at Spa, Takuma Sato earned himself few plaudits by taking Jarno Trulli out of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

More than just ending an already frustrating weekend for the Italian driver, Sato's punt at the tight Casio Triangle chicane also sparked a little more Honda-Toyota rivalry.

"Jarno was always going to have a difficult day after starting from the pit-lane, but he was put out of the race by a hopelessly ambitious move on the part of Takuma Sato," Toyota team principal Tsutomu Tomita fumed, "A driver should be aggressive but fair."

"It was a disappointing end to an otherwise good weekend, but that's racing. I'm sorry for all the fans who have come to support us, but unfortunately things didn't work out for us today. We will now hope for a better race in Shanghai next week."