De Ferran: BAR can win in 2006

"We certainly have two drivers capable of winning races and I'm confident the design and race teams are capable not only of producing a good car but also operating it well enough to achieve that objective," said de Ferran.

"Clearly to win, a lot of different things have to come right on the day and that's the big challenge. But I don't get out of bed thinking 'let's finish second'. I didn't have that attitude when I was a driver and I certainly don't have it now.

"I'm here to fight for race wins and championships."

BAR finished the last season in sixth place after being runners-up to Ferrari in 2004. They have yet to win a race since entering the sport in 1999.

The Brazilian believes Honda's buyout of the team will be a big boost.

"Firstly it underpins the stability of the team going forwards," de Ferran said. "Secondly Honda is a company that operates in a no-compromise sort of way - they will do everything that's necessary to achieve their objective, which is to win races.

"In the past they've always shown a tremendous commitment to win in a wide number of motor sport disciplines and this programme will be no different.

"There has been some uncertainty over the future of tobacco sponsorship, so from my point of view the two most important aspects of Honda's investment are that it brings stability and a commitment to win."

De Ferran, however, is under no illusions for 2006, and believes the competition will be very hard.

"I have no reason to believe either McLaren or Renault won't have another good season," he added. "Obviously we're hoping that we'll be further up and it would be foolish to discount Ferrari.

"Red Bull has just acquired the services of the man who's been involved in the design of numerous winning cars [Adrian Newey], so it's only reasonable to assume they will be stronger next year, too."