Reynard: BAR win is 'a realistic aim'

Speaking at Autosport International 2001 at the NEC in Birmingham, Reynard spoke of his aim to topple category big guns Ferrari and McLaren at least once in 2001.

"A win this year is our aim," he said. "And I think that aim is a realistic one. It's pretty obvious that F1 is a two-horse race at the moment, and you've always got those four cars to beat which is really difficult. But we will be pushing hard to do that."

Despite having one of the biggest budgets in the formula, plus works support from Honda, Reynard says F1 doesn't get any easier.

"Formula 1 is a bigger challenge now than it was when we came in [two years ago]," he said. "The targets and budgets are so high, the infrastructure you need is immense."

Reynard, a renowned innovator through the years, believes the current F1 regs still allow his team to push the boundaries.

"There is still plenty of room to innovate," he added. "Any change in regulations is an opportunity to find more performance than your rivals. Over the last few years the main areas everyone has worked on are aerodynamics, lowering the centre of gravity and electronics. The more rules they make, the more loopholes we will find."

Reynard also revealed plans to tender for the FIA's Formula 3000 contract when it comes up for renewal: "It's about time we got entrenched back in European motorsport. Our programmes in America have been great, but we'd like to take part in Formula 3000 again. We've got some good old friends there."

Also at Autosport International, Reynard outlined plans for the fledgling International Single Seater Championship, which his Brackley firm has built chassis for: "It's possible it will be renamed Formula Chrysler. The cars have 310bhp with a carbon monocoque, and they will race on a number of Grand Prix tracks and two ovals. They will cost two-thirds of a Formula 3 car with the potential for better performance, and they won't be racing at Castle Combe but the likes of Rockingham and Lausitzring."