Sato Not Expecting Quick Turnaround
Takuma Sato believes it is too early to expect a dramatic turnaround in form from his BAR team, despite some positive early feedback from a new aerodynamic package that will be raced for the first time at the San Marino Grand Prix
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.
Analysis: the Pressure is on Villeneuve
Button: BAR Have Turned a Corner
Why the future is bright for the British GP
It wasn’t so long ago the situation looked bleak at Silverstone with the future of the British Grand Prix under threat. But a transformation has seen it restored to one of the most important races on the Formula 1 calendar, with bigger and better to come
Could mixed fortunes for F1's leading Brits turn around at Silverstone?
For the first time in many years, none of the local racers starts among the favourites for the British Grand Prix. But George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris could have reasons for optimism
Verstappen exclusive: Why F1’s champion isn’t fazed by Silverstone return
Max Verstappen is the world’s number one racing driver… and he’s determined to keep it that way. Speaking exclusively to GP Racing's OLEG KARPOV, the Red Bull driver explains why he’s relishing the 2022 championship battle with Charles Leclerc – and why he’s not worried about returning to Silverstone, the scene of the biggest accident of his career last year
Why Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar can help its F1 team
On Tuesday, Red Bull laid out its plans to develop and build a new hypercar - the RB17 - penned by Adrian Newey. As the project itself sates Newey as a creative outlet, it also offers Red Bull's Formula 1 team a number of new and exciting avenues to pursue
What to expect from Mercedes as F1 returns to Silverstone
OPINION: The British Grand Prix is a home event for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, with their Mercedes team based just a few miles away too. But there’s another reason why the Silver Arrows squad is eager to arrive at Silverstone this weekend, which may help it fix its remaining problems with its 2022 Formula 1 challenger
The “solemn promise” that cost quiet hero Brooks an F1 title
After two terrifying crashes, one of the best British racers of the 1950s retired before his career peaked. But that’s why GP Racing’s MAURICE HAMILTON was able to speak to Tony Brooks in 2014. Like his friend Stirling Moss, Brooks was regarded as one of the best drivers never to have won the world championship. Here, as our tribute to Brooks who died last month, is that interview in full
Inside the Faenza facility where AlphaTauri’s F1 pragmatic vision is realised
AlphaTauri’s mission in F1 is to sell clothes and train young drivers rather than win the championship – but you still need a cutting-edge factory to do that. Team boss Franz Tost takes GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV on a guided tour of a facility that’s continuing to grow
Connecting two of Ferrari's favourite F1 sons
Gilles Villeneuve's exploits behind the wheel of a Ferrari made him a legend to the tifosi, even 40 years after his death. The team's current Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc enjoys a similar status, and recently got behind the wheel of a very special car from the French-Canadian’s career