BAR ready to take risks

Jenson Button opted for a two-stop strategy in a bid to outfox Ferrari, but he just lacked the pace of eventual race-winner Rubens Barrichello. However, with the team extending its lead over Renault in the constructors' championship to nine points, it is considering taking more risks on the home ground of engine supplier Honda.

In particular, the team is likely to push the Japanese engine manufacturer to go to the limit with its power-unit for what has traditionally become known as the 'Suzuka Special.' Honda has always pulled out all the stops for its home race - and with local hero Takuma Sato on board there is likely to be even greater desire for a decent result.

BAR technical director Geoff Willis believes Honda will not be alone in taking more risks in the bid to victory - as the team itself will be pushing extra hard to help the cause.

"We're close to winning, very close, but there are two races to go," he said after Button's second placed finish in the Chinese Grand Prix. "Now, with this nine points gap to Renault we may try something more adventurous for Suzuka.

"I think we'll take a bigger risk with our engine, as we'll have a 'Suzuka Special' with more power, more revs and I think we should really use it to try and win the race. The aero is also very important and we'll have a new front wing and also a development on the diffuser, which will be first tested this week in Jerez. A bit here, a bit there - and maybe we'll be able to win."

Team boss David Richards remains optimistic about the team's chances of winning before the end of the season - but does admit that BAR's success depends on the benchmark Ferrari team slipping up.

"Basically we need Ferrari to be a bit slower," he said. "In reality I have been very honest from the start of the year and I've always been saying that for us to win a race we need Ferrari to make a mistake and they haven't done enough!

"It's true that Michael made a few mistakes this weekend but Rubens drove a perfect race so we couldn't beat him. That's life."

When asked about his expectations for the Japanese Grand Prix, Richards said: "It would be lovely to go one step higher and finally win. For Honda it would be very special but what we have to do is to keep working hard and not relax, because it's all still open between Renault and us for second in the championship. We are nine points ahead so it would be like a dream to win a race."