15/09/2005
NEWS STORY
The BAR Honda team was in Barcelona this week for an intensive three-day test in preparation for the final three races of the 2005 season. As the only team testing in Barcelona, BAR Honda were able to take full advantage of the three days to run aerodynamic development parts designed to further improve the car's performance. Tyre evaluations for the forthcoming races were also conducted, along with the running of the latest specification of engine from Honda. The team also used the opportunity to run a development car for 2006 electronic systems.
In addition, BAR Honda was pleased to be able to give its young drivers Adam Carroll and James Rossiter two days of running time each in the car.
Day one saw Enrique Bernoldi and Adam at the wheel of the BAR Honda 007s, working on general set-up, suspension settings and tyre development. They recorded 86 and 70 laps respectively, with an unexpected downpour disrupting running in the early afternoon. James ran in the 2006 development car, completing 26 laps and setting some encouraging lap times for his first outing at the Barcelona circuit.
Jenson and Takuma joined the team in Barcelona on Wednesday when the weather conditions returned to hot and sunny. Between them they worked on aerodynamic and tyre evaluations together with a brake programme, completing 125 and 124 laps respectively. James continued his programme at the wheel of the development car, completing 59 laps.
Jenson and Takuma continued their programme into day three, completing 109 laps and 136 laps. Adam was at the wheel of the development car and ended the day with a solid 53 laps under his belt.
The race drivers will now enjoy some training and relaxation time before heading to Brazil for Round 17 of the Formula One World Championship on 25 September.
Jenson Button: "It's been an intensive couple of days in Barcelona this week. We completed a lot of laps and have done some good work in preparation for the last three races. I've mainly focused on aero evaluations and we've also been running the latest Honda engine. Results from the test have been positive and we are looking forward to Brazil."
Takuma Sato: "I worked mainly on tyres and some aerodynamic evaluations. Both programmes worked really well and we found some positive results. We are now back to higher downforce aero for the last three races and Barcelona has been a good track to assess our development parts. The weather was a little bit damp in early testing but mostly it has been good and consistent. Overall I feel positive about the results of this test."
Enrique Bernoldi: "My test was good on Tuesday and it was nice to be back in the car after almost two months. The morning was good as I completed 81 laps and worked through some good aero assessments, but in the afternoon the rain prevented me from finishing my tyre programme. The testing was interesting and we found some good information for the set-up of the car."
Adam Carroll: "It's been a good week for me and this is the first time I've driven a F1 car at Barcelona, which is one of the toughest tracks. I've had the chance to drive one of the test cars and also the development car for next year. This afternoon I've been in the development car and completed a 15 timed-lap run, which is really tough, particularly on the neck, and more physically demanding than the whole GP2 race we had here."
James Rossiter: "I drove the 2006 development car this week which has been a good opportunity to acclimatise myself to F1 and also to improve myself as a driver. I've learnt a lot over the last two days and improved my lap times considerably. It's the first time that I've driven at the Circuit de Catalunya and I enjoyed the track, which is good fun to drive. I'd like to thank the BAR Honda team for giving me this opportunity of my first official test and showing their faith in me through the Young Driver Programme."
Mark Ellis, Chief Test Engineer: "We have made the most of the excellent testing conditions here in Barcelona to prepare for the final three races this year. We have been extremely encouraged by the results this week for both chassis and engine developments. Both James and Adam, our two young drivers present this week, have performed admirably, impressing with their speed, consistency and feedback."
Shuhei Nakamoto: "A productive test, including a problem-free first run of our final spec V10 engine, which will be introduced at Suzuka."