Manning heads four-car BAR test roster
British American Racing has confirmed a king-sized, four-driver test squad headed by Darren Manning to back up its race duo of Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis.
The team's test roster - the biggest in Formula 1 - also includes Patrick Lemarie and new additions Anthony Davidson, who signed for BAR in November, and Takuma Sato, who tested for the team at Barcelona in December.
Manning and Lemarie enter their third straight season with the Brackley-based squad. Manning is expected to spearhead the team's ongoing test programme with engine partner Honda and tyre-supplier Bridgestone, while Lemarie will concentrate on the evaluation of development parts for the team's BAR 03 chassis.
Davidson, the 2000 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award-winner, and Honda protégé Sato will concentrate on gaining mileage and experience in a limited programme of outings. Both will fit their schedule around full British Formula 3 campaigns.
"Research and development are key issues in building and maintaining a competitive F1 team," said Bar managing director Craig Pollock, "and having the combination of skill and new talent onboard will be a very valuable asset to the team."
BAR's 2001 challenger, the BAR 03, gets a first shakedown at Silverstone tomorrow (Wednesday).
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