16/07/2005
NEWS STORY
With eleven of the nineteen races already completed this season, BAR Honda are still hard at work evaluating new developments designed to further improve the BAR Honda 007 car. This week, the team were at the Circuito de Jerez in Southern Spain for an intensive three-day test with all four regular drivers participating. With a long break in testing ahead, the main focus of activity has been the evaluation of the latest aerodynamic upgrades and chassis developments for the forthcoming races, tyre programmes for Michelin and the running of the latest specification engines from Honda.
As the last test before the summer break, the whole team has been working extremely hard to make the most of the available track time and maximise the development of the car. With positive results achieved from the comprehensive programme, BAR Honda now looks forward to next weekend and an improved performance in Hockenheim for the German Grand Prix.
Jenson and Anthony began the test on Wednesday. Jenson, working solely on various aerodynamic evaluations, completed 78 laps, setting the second fastest time of the day. Anthony tested new suspension components, completing 62 laps. The afternoon session proved frustrating for both drivers with a total of six circuit red lights causing lengthy interruptions.
Jenson continued his aerodynamic evaluations on Thursday, having a very productive day as he completed his planned programme. Takuma joined the test, running alternately in chassis 007-03 and 069-08. He ran through a bodywork cooling evaluation, followed by a set-up programme and a tyre evaluation for the German Grand Prix. Takuma completed a total of 89 laps, setting the second fastest time of the day.
Takuma continued his tyre programme on Friday completing a total of 118 laps. Unfortunately he suffered an engine failure mid-morning, stopping him out on the circuit after 32 laps. Anthony continued the evaluation of the new aerodynamic developments in the various configurations which Jenson ran through yesterday. He also did some chassis set-up work, completing 120 laps. Enrique completed 59 laps in chassis 069-08, a development car for 2006 systems, running on the track alternately with the other two cars.
Jenson Button: "We have mostly concentrated on running an aero evaluation for my two day programme. With the hot conditions and red flags it took longer to get through than expected, but all in all the test ended on a positive note."
Takuma Sato: "It has been a very good couple of days in Jerez this week and we covered a lot of mileage. I focused mainly on engine work and tyre programmes, we did the Hockenheim and Budapest tyre evaluations in one day so it was a very big test and the data was positive. The temperatures have been very hot in Jerez which is good physical preparation for us with the next three races taking place in such hot locations. We have had some small problems but they are not major and overall the team has done a really good job this week."
Anthony Davidson: "We finished our aero evaluation today with some noticeable results and then moved onto suspension development. I also did a traction control evaluation this afternoon. We ran standard tyres all day as Takuma was focusing on the tyre evaluations for the next races. Overall a positive test before we go into the testing break."
Enrique Bernoldi: "It was a good test for the team today. I concentrated on driving chassis 069-08 with the 2006 system development package installed. We went out on old tyres so it was not really representative of a normal testing evaluation but it was good to get the data needed for the team."
Mark Ellis, Chief Test Engineer: "This week has been incredibly hot, which has been the perfect preparation for the next three races in Hockenheim, Budapest and Istanbul. Once again we have been able to test many new components, thanks to the hard work at the factory, in our efforts to get back on terms with the championship leaders."
Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director, Honda Racing Development: "The drivers have done well in the very tough, hot conditions over the last three days, and despite all the red flags, we've made some good progress with the latest specification engine for Hockenheim."