Honda Yet to Achieve 1,300km Engine Goal

BAR-Honda, overall runners-up last season, have been struggling with pre-season testing and now reveal the car is suffering from a lack of downforce, while the engine has yet to achieve the reliability of two Grands Prix weekend distance.

"The car is lacking in downforce and there is a basic lack of aerodynamic grip," one team insider told Autosport.com, stating the team's hopes of fighting for victories from the start of the season could depend on a revised aerodynamics package and improved engine parts.

Honda engineering director Shuhei Nakamoto said the team had yet to exceed the 1,300 km target that engines, which have to last for two races this year, must achieve. "At the moment we have not cleared the target and we are waiting for modifications next week," he said.

"We are hoping to have them in Jerez and we will see how we do with long runs there. But if we don't have them, they will be for the test after that where we will have the new aero kit."