Troubled first test for new BAR Honda 007

By Phil Huff (19/01/2005)
January 27 2005

Following the abandonment of the Barcelona test, BAR Honda headed off to Valencia for the first tests of the new BAR007, joining rivals Sauber, Renault and McLaren.

Takuma Sato made use of the 2005 Concept, a 006 with the new cars back end and 2005 aerodynamics, propping up the time sheets with a fastest lap of 1:12.355. The Japanese driver suffered a number of mechanical problems throughout the day.

Jenson Button gave the all new BAR Honda 007 its first run, setting a time of 1:12.209, ahead of Jacques Villeneuve in his 2005 Sauber. Problems also hampered the British drivers day, with an engine failure costing a significant amount of lost track time.

Juan Pablo Montoya, driving a 2004 McLaren, set the fastest time, with Frank Montagny in a 2004 Renault following close behind.