BAR Back on Track, Says Button

Jenson Button is gearing himself up for what will be a crunch test at Valencia in Spain tomorrow, with his BAR team hoping that a definitive new aerodynamic package and the latest development parts from engine supplier Honda will help keep the team's return to form on track.

BAR endured a difficult test at Jerez in Spain last week, on the back of fairly disappointing form from the 007 car in early running, amid claims from Takuma Sato that the car was suffering from a "lack of grip".

But despite three crashes and a series of engine problems, Button managed to top the times on the final major day of running in Spain last week as the team introduced the first step of their new aerodynamic parts â€" and the hope is that the team can keep that promise going this week.

BAR will have exclusive use of the Valencia circuit this week, for the running of their definitive aerodynamic package for Melbourne, and Honda is due to introduce new parts for its engines that it hopes will lift it past the magic 1,300km marker that will be equivalent to two Grand Prix weekends.

Speaking to Autosport.com about the state of BAR, with mixed results from the Jerez test, Button said he hoped that his blistering pace from the final day of action was a pointer of good things to come.

"It is true that we had a couple of bad tests, but I think we are back on track now," he told Autosport.com. "Honda is now happy with the engine, its mileage and reliability, so going to Valencia we are positive.

"We can now do 100 laps or so every day, and we are going consistently quick. It is very encouraging. We will also have some new parts coming out this week so we are very encouraged."

Honda has been pushing its new 2004 engine to the limit, which has resulted in a spate of problems over recent weeks that has seen the Japanese manufacturer fail to complete the necessary two race distances, but its engineering director Shuhei Nakamoto is confident for the Valencia run.

"The specification we have now can do up to 1000km and in the next test, although it will not be the final specification for the season opener, it should do the distance required," he explained to Autosport.com. "We will put those units in the two cars to test."