BAR Searching for Elusive First Win with 007

The BAR team will be looking for their maiden Grand Prix win right from the start of the season, according to CEO Nick Fry.

The Honda-powered squad finished in second place in last year's Constructors' Championship, with 11 podium finishes but without any wins. But Fry believes the new 007 car, unveiled today at the Barcelona circuit, will be another stop forward towards victory.

"Our performance in 2004 was very pleasing and second in the Championship was a credit to the effort and teamwork of each person at BAR Honda," said Fry, who replaced David Richards at the end of last year. "However, we were all disappointed not to win a race and that has to be the first step in our three year plan to win the World Championship.

"The 007 is another step forward, not only in its design and performance but also because the design and build process went very smoothly. This confirms that the organisational and process changes implemented at BAR over the last three years are robust and provide a strong core which enables development of our car through the year and from year to year in pursuit of our goals."

The new car is smaller and its more unified development and integration with the engine has resulted in a tighter packaging. Technical director Geoff Willis said the 007 is a refinement of last year's car with several new developments to make it more competitive.

"I am delighted with the new 007," said Willis. "It is a logical next step for the team, being both a refinement of last year's car concept as well as having a number of significant new developments. With the stability of the technical team and the increasingly close relationship with Honda, we have been able to build a much better integrated installation of engine, chassis and transmission.

"In addition, following a very successful first year with Michelin, we have been able to design the 007 specifically around their tyre characteristics as well as being able to drive the development programme for the demands of the new regulations.

"The most challenging elements of the new Technical Regulations are in the areas of aerodynamics and engine. In both cases we have undertaken an extremely intensive development programme and extensive testing with the '05 Concept car.

"At the same time, the underlying objective was to produce a car that can close the gap to Ferrari and deliver BAR Honda its first race win. We are encouraged by what we have seen of our performance step so far but, as is always the case, we look forward to our real measure of success - the Australian Grand Prix in seven weeks' time."

Honda, now owners of 45% of the team, have produced a new engine to meet the regulations, which will force engines to last for two Grand Prix weekends.

Honda said that although similar in concept to the 2004 unit, the engine has been completely revised to make it smaller, lighter and afford a lower centre of gravity.

"The new regulations for 2005 set us an even greater challenge than we faced for 2004, when we produced a top class Formula One engine," said Takeo Kiuchi, Honda F1's Project leader. "This year we have concentrated on three areas.

"We have made the engine more compact and lowered the centre of gravity to improve the performance of the overall package. We have increased mid- to low-speed torque to improve acceleration at the start and exiting corners.

"Finally - this is our biggest challenge â€" we are aiming to maintain top power despite the new regulations."