BAR looks forward to fruitful season

The team failed to score a single point in its debut season in 1999, despite the efforts of former world champion Jacques Villeneuve and rookie Ricardo Zonta.

However, after completing a Grand Prix distance in winter testing, the Honda-powered outfit is hopeful of scoring points this year.

"There is some nervousness in the team because the testing has gone well," said BAR chairman Craig Pollock.

"The team knows it has to keep its eye on the ball, and the focus has to be there 100 percent of the time.

"Last year we thought we had a fast car but not a reliable car, while this year we feel that maybe the reliability is there but the performance is not 100 percent there. But we can work on that."

Villenueve, who win the title in 1997, believes the car's new reliability is due partly to the new Honda V10 engine.

He said: "That is definitely a factor.

"How much I don't know because the car is also a lot stronger. The car is not quick enough yet, but the good thing is that we can do a lot of laps.

"We go around and around, and it doesn't break down and that is very positive.

"After last year, we want to start this one on a good leg and get great things out of it.

"I did all I could last year, so I can't do anything differently this season.

"The team has learned a lot also. All the internal problems seem to have been fixed and that should remain through out the whole season, which is great."