Strong Start to BAR's 2004 Concept Car

BAR concluded a successful debut testing session for their interim pre-2004 car this week, as well as their first run on Michelin tyres.

The team tested for three days in Barcelona, Spain, with Jenson Button at the wheel of the 2004 'concept' car and Takuma Sato in the 2003 BAR005. The main focus of the test was to evaluate the performance of the new rear-end package - which included the 2004 engine from Honda, and was also the first opportunity for the team to work with Michelin and to re-optimise the car in light of this change.

"This was the first time we had run the 2004 engine and rear-end package together and we also had our first outings on Michelin tyres," commented Geoffrey Willis, BAR's Technical Director.

"It was to be expected that there would be initial teething problems with all of these new elements being brought together, so the fact that we were able to complete over 400kms fault-free on the first full day with a completely new engine, gearbox, suspension and hydraulics is very impressive and a tribute to all the hard work and attention that has gone in to design, manufacture and build."

Button, who completed a total of 176 laps and set the second-fastest time of the week, said he was encouraged by their first testing results. "After an installation day on Tuesday, the car has been running very smoothly," he said. "I think we have achieved what we hoped to do, which was to get a good number of miles on the car, and we have managed over 400 kilometres on each of the last two days. The new Honda engine has been running well and reliably, which is a good sign.

"This has also been the first test working with our new tyre partners, and as expected we have learned a lot about the differences needed in car set-up. The team is going to do a lot of work on the basis of what we have learned and that will help us to find the best set-up and get the most out of the tyres at the remaining two tests of the year. It has been encouraging to see the times we have set and it will be good to get some more miles on the clock in Jerez next week."

Sato, who was announced as BAR's driver for 2004 shortly before the Japanese Grand Prix, completed a total of 220 laps, setting the fourth fastest time of the week. He concentrated on tyre evaluation.

"This was my first test as a BAR race driver and I was much more aware that my feedback would have a direct influence on myself, rather than just for the team and I think that helped me to focus even more," he said.

"My race engineer, Jock Clear, and I worked hard together over the three days and I think we're building on our relationship, which started in Suzuka. We have a good understanding of each other and are developing my personal set-up.

"It was also good to see Jenson again and pick up where we left off in Japan. Together, I think we can develop a very strong car for BAR over the testing period. I was excited to hear his comments on the '04 Concept car and I can't wait to drive it myself."

Honda too were pleased with the progress made through the week, particularly with the reliability of their new engine. "We're pleased with the first test of our new engine, having had no hardware problems with it over the three days," said Honda's Engineering Director, Shuhei Nakamoto.

"We have collected a lot of data, which we are encouraged by, and we are looking forward to next week's test in Jerez, where we will be running an engine with a longer life than this one."

BAR will be testing next week at Jerez, and Willis said the programme will be much of the same as they have done in Barcelona. "We have an extensive test programme planned for the rest of the year and beyond, and the aim now is to continue our assessment of the new package in terms of reliability and to build on the relationship we have established with Michelin this week," he said.