BAR Drivers Target First Points

The Honda-powered squad, enduring a nightmare year so far, are the only team still to score after nine races following the United States Grand Prix, where both Jordan and Minardi opened their accounts.

But BAR's prospects looked brighter on Saturday, when Takuma Sato posted the fifth quickest time.

The Japanese driver, however, will start from the second row of the grid after Kimi Raikkonen is demoted for an engine change on Friday.

"I enjoyed my lap today and the car performed well," said Sato. "We have split the Renaults and the McLarens, so that is a real bonus for the team.

"I am very happy for everyone who has worked extremely hard in the run-up to this weekend and for carrying over the momentum from the last two races to this high downforce and very different circuit.

"It puts us in a good position for the race tomorrow and I am really looking forward to being on the second row of the grid and right in the middle of the action."

Teammate Jenson Button, who will start from seventh place, is also in optimistic mood ahead of tomorrow's race.

"It was a reasonable lap and I think I did all I could to get the most from the car today," said Button. "The circuit is in much better shape than it was this morning and the times are reasonably good for a qualifying session.

"I think that we are in a good position for tomorrow and that we can have a competitive race from where we are starting on the grid, as the car has been performing well this weekend."