BAR Launch New 004 in Brackley

The British American Racing team (BAR) launched on Tuesday their car for the 2002 season, thus becoming the second Formula One outfit to unveil their new machine for the upcoming year.

Just one day after Toyota presented their car, and after the announcement that team principal and managing director Craig Pollock had decided to step down from the Brackley-based team, BAR presented the Honda-powered 004 chassis at their headquarters. The team also took the opportunity to announce that David Richards will replace Pollock at the head of the team next season.

"This team has the key ingredients you need for success," said Richards. "You need stability â€" and that was critical for my decision. These things are not spontaneous and it did not happen all over night. I had been in talks with BAT for some time but it has only been in the last 10 days that the circumstances have come together.

"I come with a clear track record of success but F1 is a changing world. You cannot just come in as one individual and make a staggering difference. I had a year as Benetton boss which is a long time in F1 and I came away understanding what you need for success.

"I will be fifty on my next birthday â€" and I was planning on taking a sabbatical â€" now this will take my principle effort in the near and medium term. We will have a clear period of assessment. Let's see how things go over the next few months.

"I had dinner with Jean Todt recently. Twenty years ago I was the world rally champion co-driver and he was runner-up. I hope I can be the bane of his life for a few year's yet."

BAR, who in 2001 finished in sixth place in the Constructors' Championship right behind the Jordan team, scored their first two podium finishes last season thanks to Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, who decided to continue at the team for one more year.

The 1997 World Champion will be partnered again by Frenchman Olivier Panis, who also extended his contract with BAR in 2001.