Bernoldi to Test for BAR in September

Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi will be back at the wheel of a Formula One car next month when he takes part in the first of two tests for the BAR team.

Bernoldi, who competed for two seasons with the Arrows team after making his Grand Prix debut in 2001, was left without a drive in Formula One after the collapse of the Leafield-based squad at the end of 2002.

The 25-year old Brazilian has been competing in the World Series by Nissan championship since then.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I cannot wait to drive the car," said Bernoldi. "When I had to leave F1 two years ago because of the Arrows situation, I was only 23 years old and still had a lot to prove.

"My future looked very difficult but we decided that the best thing to do was to stay in single seaters in order to maintain the racing acuity, which is why I am competing in the very competitive World Series.

"I had a difficult first year as the team was new but I was pleased to achieve some poles and podiums. The team is now efficient and as a result, I am standing second in the Championship, with first place in my sights. Hearing the news about the opportunity to help BAR with their development programme was something else."

Bernoldi will test alongside Briton Anthony Davidson in Jerez in September and October, and the team have also agreed an option on his services as a test driver going forward.

"We are delighted to welcome Enrique to the team for this brief but crucial period in our testing programme," said technical director Geoff Willis. "He has 28 F1 race starts to his name and possesses the solid F1 experience that will help us to achieve as much continuity as possible in the latter part of the season.

"The end of the five-week testing ban means that all of the teams will now be ramping up their efforts to fight for every available opportunity for points and championship position. We are no exception in this and so Enrique will have a couple of very busy tests for us."

The Brazilian driver visited BAR's Operations Centre in Brackley last week for a seat fitting and to meet the team's senior technical personnel and race engineers.

"I understood why BAR have become one of the top teams this season," added Bernoldi. " I understand I have a very important job to do to help the team for the rest of the season and I would like to thank BAR, Lucky Strike and Honda for the opportunity and trust they have placed in me."