Sato Not Expecting Quick Turnaround

Jenson Button put the new package to good use at Barcelona in Spain last week when he set a new unofficial lap record during testing, prompting talk that the team could be back in the hunt for race victories as soon as Imola.

But after Sato ran the new components for the first time at Paul Ricard on Wednesday, the Japanese driver is not as convinced the team's pace will be much different from the start of the campaign - although he is sure they are moving forwards.

The new parts include a modified diffuser, winglets, sidepod and front and rear wing.

"I tried out several individual pieces at one time and then finally tested the whole lot together and it was good," said Sato, speaking exclusively to Autosport-Atlas. "We have collated a lot of data and it has definitely improved the driveability of the car.

"In terms of downforce it is a bit better but not much, as everyone else seems to have got better with their new packages. So we don't expect to be making an enormous jump, but we are definitely making a step forward."

BAR's decision to give the go-ahead to run the new parts for the San Marino Grand Prix has had a knock-on effect, meaning that Sato will now have to wait until the Spanish Grand Prix at the earliest to get his hands on a new chassis.

Although Sato had hoped to take the new chassis (007/05) for Imola, after complaining of a mysterious handling imbalance with his regular car (007/02), the lack of time to turnaround the new car after this week's test means he will now have to continue with his old car for the time being.