BAR to continue testing with V10

With Toyota having already said they will continue to run the bigger engines in a bid to get a better baseline for their evaluation of Bridgestone tyres, and Renault's new V8 not hitting the track until their new car does in January, BAR will now also continue working with the V10 power-units until at least the start of next year.

BAR boss Nick Fry said on Monday: "We are entering what's in effect a three phase plan. First is to keep running the V10 during the rest of this year and then we'll phase in the hybrid car - which will have the V8 engine - well before Christmas. Then, obviously, we'll introduce the new 2006 car."

Fry has also said that BAR's new signing Rubens Barrichello will begin his time at the team behind the wheel of a V10 car, so he can compare how the Brackley-outfit fare up with Ferrari.

"We'll continue to run the V10s with our younger drivers and initially Rubens will drive our V10 car so he gets some sense of the status of the team. After that, though, all the focus will be on the V8."

BAR are planning to launch their new car in January, so as to give themselves as possible to get it up to speed before the start of the 2006 season.

When asked about the team's targets for next year, Fry was adamant that their sights were set on several victories. "To win races, plural," he said.