Sakon Yamamoto competed in various karting championships in Japan before moving to his national Formula 3 category in 2001. German F3 followed in 2002 and the European series in 2003.

Yamamoto moved back to Japan for another crack at the F3 title - his fourth season for F3 winning one round at Twin Ring Motegi. A move to Formula Nippon in 2005 followed with Kondo where he finished tenth in the standings.

With countryman Yuji Ide failing to impress at the Super Aguri Honda F1 team in 2006, Yamamoto was drafted in - initially as test driver from the British Grand Prix - before taking over the race seat from Franck Montagny at the German Grand Prix.

Yamamoto struggled initially but his seventh and final start of the season in Brazil saw him set an impressive seventh fastest lap of the race and finish in a credible 16th position.

With Takuma Sato remaining with the team and Anthony Davidson being drafted in as his team-mate, Yamamoto took a testing role with the squad in 2007 before being drafted in at Spyker Ferrari mid-season, starting with the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Teaming up with Adrian Sutil at the Silverstone-based team saw Yamamoto show relatively well. The team was not particularly competitive, but Yamamoto finished five of his seven starts with the team, his best result being a 12th at his home event of Fuji.

Yamamoto steps back to a testing role in 2008, but in joining Renault, the Japanese racer is joining a team that knows how to win.