New Car, New Era for B.A.R Honda Team
The BAR007
By BAR F1
January 27 2005
Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda unveiled its 2005 season challenger today - the B.A.R Honda 007 car - at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona. The car marks the start of a new era for the team and is yet another major performance step,
one which Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer of B.A.R Honda predicts will launch B.A.R Honda into a new era and its three year challenge to win the World Championship by 2007.
The success of last year's car was the result of a dramatic improvement in engineering standards, teamwork and cooperation between B.A.R and Honda, which enabled the team to move up from fifth to second place in the Championship, marking them out as the season's most improved team.
A significant evolution of the 006, the B.A.R Honda 007 demonstrates a further improvement in design and build-quality. The new car is visibly smaller and its more unified development and integration with the engine has resulted in a tighter, more refined packaging and considerable weight saving despite the more onerous 2005 structural and crash test requirements.
The most visible differences to the external appearance of the car have been driven by the changes to the 2005 aerodynamic regulations, while under the skin the second-generation carbon-composite gearbox is a further development from the team's innovative concept for 2004 and is lighter with improved internals designed and developed under the joint chassis programme.
Honda has produced a new engine to meet the challenge of the two-race rule introduced for the first time this season. Although similar in concept to the 2004 unit, it too is a completely revised design but is smaller, lighter and affords a lower centre of gravity.
For 2005, B.A.R Honda has also developed its partnership with tyre supplier Michelin. In addition to the team conducting an extensive programme of tyre development during winter testing, they have been working closely together on the design of the 2005 car.
Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer:
"Our performance in 2004 was very pleasing and second in the Championship was a credit to the effort and teamwork of each person at B.A.R Honda. However, we were all disappointed not to win a race and that has to be the first step in our three year plan to win the World Championship.
"The B.A.R Honda 007 is another step forward, not only in its design and performance but also because the design and build process went very smoothly. This confirms that the organisational and process changes implemented at B.A.R Honda over the last three years are robust and provide a strong core which enables development of our car through the year and from year to year in pursuit of our goals.
"The B.A.R Honda 007 also marks a new era in integration of resources and skills between B.A.R, British American Tobacco and Honda following Honda's purchase of 45% of our team. We believe that this really represents a winning formula."
Geoffrey Willis, Technical Director:
"I am delighted with the new B.A.R Honda 007. It is a logical next step for the team, being both a refinement of last year's car concept as well as having a number of significant new developments. With the stability of the technical team and the increasingly close relationship with Honda, we have been able to build a much better integrated installation of engine, chassis and transmission. In addition, following a very successful first year with Michelin, we have been able to design the 007 specifically around their tyre characteristics as well as being able to drive the development programme for the demands of the new regulations.
"The most challenging elements of the new Technical Regulations are in the areas of aerodynamics and engine. In both cases we have undertaken an extremely intensive development programme and extensive testing with the '05 Concept car. At the same time, the underlying objective was to produce a car that can close the gap to Ferrari and deliver B.A.R 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."
Jimmi Rembiszewski, Director, Marketing, British American Tobacco:
"This is a very exciting new phase for Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda. Six seasons ago British American Tobacco embarked on its long-term strategy of winning the Formula One World Championship and it is pleasing to see progress finally being made in this direction. The investment in the team by Honda will give us the springboard to achieve the ultimate goal."
Takeo Kiuchi, Head of Worldwide Automobile Racing and Honda F1 Project Leader:
"The new regulations for 2005 set us an even greater challenge than we faced for 2004, when we produced a top class Formula One engine. This year we have concentrated on three areas. We have made the engine more compact and lowered the centre of gravity to improve the performance of the overall package. We have increased mid to low-speed torque to improve acceleration at the start and exiting corners. Finally - this is our biggest challenge - we are aiming to maintain top power despite the new regulations."