BAR to Start 2004 Season with Hybrid Car

The BAR team will race an hybrid version of their current Honda-powered 005 chassis in the first races of the 2004 season.

In an interview with the team's website, BAR technical director Geoff Willis said that the Brackley-based outfit would follow Ferrari's example and start next season with a hybrid version of their 2003 car rather than an all-new one.

Ferrari contested the first four races of this season with the old F2002 before introducing the F2003-GA.

"We are going to be testing what I describe as a hybrid car at the end of this year," said Willis. "That will have this year's chassis with next year's engine, gearbox and rear suspension.

"In order to give us most time to make the next big step forward that we want for the 2004 race car, and also to start the year off very reliably, we want to run this hybrid car in the opening long-haul Grands Prix of 2004."

The McLaren team have also raced this season with an updated version of last year's MP4-17 and they are still to introduce the new MP4-18.