BAR prepares to reveal new boss, car

According to British national newspaper The Guardian, World Rally Championship supremo David Richards will take the place of Craig Pollock, who was ousted from the role yesterday.

BAR is bankrolled by British American Tobacco - a former backer of Richards' WRC team Prodrive, which runs the works Subarus. He said in Monaco last week that he was about to "take a step back" from his role as commercial rights holder for the WRC, adding fuel to the speculation that he will return to F1 for the first time since a brief spell at Benetton in 1997-'98.

The new BAR 004 will be unveiled at Brackley today as the team bids to keep hold of its works Honda engine supply deal for the long term. Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis will continue their partnership for a second successive year, although Villeneuve's long-term future must be in doubt after the departure of his mentor Pollock.

Stay tuned to Autosport.com as our team of reporters bring you all the news from BAR's headquarters. It certainly promises to be one of the most interesting launches of the season...