FUJI SPEEDWAY, Japan, Sept 27, 2007 (AFP) - Super Aguri driver Takuma Sato is delighted with the way his season has gone so far and admits he is looking forward to what promises to be an exciting weekend at his home race here.

Sato has claimed four world championship points this year, enough to put Super Aguri in seventh place in the constructors´ standings after McLaren´s expulsion earlier this month.

While four points may not seem much, it is an achievement when you consider that Super Aguri have one of the lowest budgets in Formula One and that Honda, which supplies the Japanese minnow´s engines, has only managed two.

"I could not have expected this ´gift´ result. It is the hard work by our team and great racing from the other F1 teams that has made this happen," Sato said ahead of the Japan Grand Prix on Sunday.

"We have gone beyond our expectations, but we were always aiming high following our 10th position result in Brazil last year.

"We came into this season with high motivation and I am so pleased that we have achieved our target."

After a 30-year absence the Japanese race returns to Fuji this weekend, a move that Sato welcomes.

"I am excited to be going back to Japan and to see this new generation of racing emerging," he said.

"I have never raced in Fuji except when I was cycling, but this is a very famous circuit and its 1.5 kilometre long straight with heavy braking at the end could provide some great overtaking opportunities.

"Fuji has always provided exciting racing in other categories, so I am sure that we shall have a great Formula One Grand Prix."

Despite their success on the track, Super Aguri have recently been forced to make cutbacks after former primary sponsor SS United did not come through with the expected level of financial support.

However, new deals with Four Leaf, Carrozeria, Cup Noodle and Virgin Atlantic will provide the Japanese outfit with the money to break even this season and move into next year on a sound footing.

The team are understood to still be looking for a wealthy partner to help secure the company´s long-term viability.