BAR Honda unveiled its 2005-spec car in Barcelona at the weekend. The 007 is more compact and lighter than its predecessor and has a new front end, engine and carbon-composite gearbox.
BAR Honda unveiled its 2005-spec car in Barcelona at the weekend. The 007 is more compact and lighter than its predecessor and has a new front end, engine and carbon-composite gearbox.
New BAR chief executive officer Nick Fry said the car ushered in a new era following Honda’s purchase of a 45 per-cent stake in the Brackley-based team. He added that the team also aimed to win the Formula One world championship by 2007.
The 007 is “both a refinement of last year’s car as well as having a number of significant new developments. With the closer relationship with Honda, we have been able to build a much better integrated installation of engine, chassis and transmission”, BAR technical director Geoffrey Willis was quoted as saying.
“The objective was to produce a car that can close the gap to Ferrari and deliver BAR Honda its first race win. We are encouraged by what we have seen of our performance step so far but, as is always the case, we look forward to our real measure of success – the Australian Grand Prix in seven weeks’ time,” he added.
The most visible differences to the external appearance of the 007 were driven by the changes to the FIA’s aerodynamic regulations for 2005. The car’s second-generation carbon-composite gearbox, developed under the joint chassis programme, is lighter with improved internals and the new engine, while similar in concept to the 2004 unit, is “smaller, lighter and affords a lower centre of gravity”, a team spokesman said.
Jenson Button had hoped to leave BAR-Honda and drive for Williams-BMW in 2005, but the Contracts Recognition Board blocked the move. However, the Briton insisted on Sunday the controversy would not overshadow his push for a first grand prix win.
“I’m looking forward to the start of the season and getting back to racing,” said Button. “The 2005 season will be a very important year for BAR as a team to prove that 2004 wasn’t just a one-off. We need to show that we are a consistent top team and again can challenge McLaren and Ferrari for podiums.
“Winter testing has been very encouraging and I have done more mileage in the off season than ever before. The car has shown good reliability, which is very important considering the new engine regulations whereby one engine must last for two races.”
“The progress we have made with the Michelin tyres will make a big difference when we kick off the season in Melbourne. I hope that our first win is just around the corner,” the Briton added.
Earlier Sunday, Button had said that there were no hard feelings between him and the team over his desire to leave. “As soon as I had made the decision to stay, I went to the BAR factory as soon as I could to explain things to them,” the 24-year-old told the . “Things have been good since then. They like the fact that I am pushing hard and staying focused. They know that I am looking forward to getting my first Formula One win.”
Button’s Japanese team-mate Takuma Sato added: “I’m going into my second season here with more experience, confidence and team stability. Obviously I want to push myself even harder to try and improve on my podium finish last year (third place in the United States Grand Prix) and my ultimate goal must be to challenge for more podiums and eventually to achieve my first win.
