BAR 003 ‘launch’: Pollock bullish on prospects

Speaking prior to the London launch of BAR's 2001 attack, Pollock said: "While last year was a big improvement on our debut season, I am still not happy finishing fifth in the constructors' championship. Our aim in 2001 has to be at least a third place finish overall and to win some races.

"And with the team and infrastructure we now have in place," he added, "that is achievable and that is what I want."

BAR was the most-improved team in F1 last year, narrowly missing out on a podium and rising from 11th and last to fifth in the constructors' table after a disastrous - and point-free - debut season in 1999.

Backing up Pollock's bullish retoric, the team was the first to run its 2001 car. But somewhat ironically, following a testing shunt in Spain for team-leader Jacques Villeneuve, the Honda-powered BAR 003 was not actually present at its own launch.

BAR says that weight-saving has been a prime consideration in the design of the BAR003, allowing ballasting to optimise weight distribution. The car now also boasts a smaller gearbox and electronically-controlled power-steering.

"Last year, no single facet of our car was really good or really bad," said Pollock. "But in order to compete with the likes of Ferrari and McLaren, we must ensure that every aspect excels. In the BAR003, we feel we have a car that can fulfil such high expectations."

The team's technical director, Malcolm Oastler, says that BAR003, which has been designed around 2001's revised aerodynamic and crash test regulations, has met all the design objectives set for it.

"We are happy with our progression and the fact that we have been able to meet all of the necessary requirements," he said. "We have made a saving of around 30 kilos on the weight of the car and have already exceeded our original aerodynamic targets. We feel we are in good shape."

McLaren and Ferrari aside, BAR's most obvious benchmark will be the Jordan team. Both are using identical works-supplied Honda V10 engines and the Silverstone-based Jordan team is keen to use its newly-cemented relationship with the Japanese company to bounce back from a disappointing 2000 season.

"We think that this sense of healthy competition will benefit Honda's long-term objective," said Honda Racing president Shoichi Tanaka.