Sauber admits that BAR is 'better and faster'

By Phil Huff (27/01/2005)
February 9 2005

Peter Sauber has conceded that his teams new car lacks raw pace, declaring that the Lucky Strike BAR Honda 007 is both 'better' and 'faster'.

"On the one hand we were quite happy with the reliability," Peter Sauber told Autosport, "but on the other hand we have to find speed."

The teams young Brazilian driver Felipe Massa has frequently set fast times, often out pacing the BAR Honda of Jenson Button, Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson.

"That was one single lap and everyone knows how fast Felipe is," the Swiss team boss refreshingly admitted. "We have to face the fact that BAR Honda right now is better and faster. We lack the experience BAR has with the Michelin tyres."

The fastest 2005 car to date is the Renault R25, setting a time of 1:10.398 at the Valencia circuit. BAR Honda's follow behind with a 1:11.140, slightly ahead of Massa's single lap time.

Sauber's newest signing, ex-BAR racer Jacques Villeneuve, brings up the rear of the 2005 cars, setting a time of 1:12.212 last week.