BAR 'positive' after Spanish tests

The squad spent the first part of last week testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, near Barcelona, before moving on to Jerez for a three-day test at the weekend.

BAR driver, Ricardo Zonta, was present for the entire test at Jerez.

The Brazilian, who was there to get his first serious taste of the new car, managed to clock up 220 laps - despite a wet track on Saturday.

He put in the second fastest time of the weekend [1m24s680].

'We have had a rigorous six days of testing here and at Barcelona, and have dealt successfully with a significant number of software and other issues concerning the car,' Robert Synge BAR team manager said afterwards.

'We were specifically not targeting performance at this test, concentrating instead of reliable running and providing Ricardo [Zonta] with as much 'seat time' in the new car as possible, in order to give ourselves everything chance of completing grands prix early in the season.

'We are leaving Spain in a positive frame of mind.'

Adrian Reynard, BAR technical development director added: 'We've had a really useful test here at Jerez with Ricardo putting in plenty of laps and the engineers accumulating much vital data.

'We haven't focused on trying to be the fastest, but rather, on being consistent.

'It's also been a chance for Ricardo to have a good session with the new car and get used to it.'