By Jonathan Legard BBC motor racing correspondent

Say what you like about England's failings in their opening World Cup match but at least they took a point in Japan.

Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis have raced from Melbourne to Monaco and have nothing.

If ever a team needed a lift, it is BAR, the much-hyped, multi-million dollar outfit launched with Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, as its star turn.

Panis had a bad accident in Montreal in 1997

Far from being the conquering hero returning home to Montreal for Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix, Villeneuve finds himself part of the only team of the 11 on the Formula One grid without a point.

Even cash-strapped Minardi, struggling to do business beyond this race, are ahead.

No wonder the 31-year-old would consider a move to Ferrari. Who would not in his position?

His team-mate, Panis, one of the sport's most likeable characters, has yet to reach the finishing line in any of the seven races in 2002 - the most woeful record of any driver this season.

For a man accustomed to the best in motorsport, David Richards, the new team principal, is currently having the worst of times.

Schumi (left) and Coulthard are two to beat

There is a new bodywork kit, comprising sidepods, diffuser and bargeboards.

Crucially, however, Richards' intention to marry these modifications with a new Honda engine have failed to come off.

There will be an upgrade - but not the big step that Honda had originally announced for this weekend.

More's the pity for BAR and Jordan, Honda's other team.

This track calls on maximum horsepower for its many long blasts, particularly the long 200 mph drag from the Casino hairpin to the pits.

The delay is another blow to Honda's credibility and does little to boost confidence that they have the ability to hit the front in the manner to which they became accustomed in their heyday in the 1980s.

If the stories are true that BAR are Honda's chosen team for 2003 - dropping the currently more effective Jordan team - then confirmation can't come soon enough.

Servicing two teams at the required level of competition looks beyond them at the moment.

Their partnership with BAR, now into its third year, has yet to deliver anything more than the mediocre.

And just when David Richards is trying to put his own house in order, Honda's backsliding does him, and them, no favours.

"We go to Montreal with the new evolution car and engine and, while we are under no illusions that it will cure all our problems, we are optimistic that it will go some way towards reversing our fortunes this season," said Richards.

"The team have worked incredibly hard to meet the Canada deadline and I hope we can reward their efforts with a strong race on Sunday."

Brakes, gearboxes and cooling systems take a huge hammering around this car-breaker of a circuit so if Willis' new model can survive the 69 laps, that in itself would be progress.

Barren spell

How poignant it would be if Panis was to open his account at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where his career was derailed in 1997 when he broke his leg in a fearful smash.

Villeneuve has not scored points in front of his home crowd since coming second the previous year, but when he's revved up like he was in Austria last month, he's a racer to rouse any grandstand.

If the car works, so does Villeneuve.

Richards turned 50 this week. But if his team can turn the corner this weekend, that would be something to celebrate.

Drinks could be on the house in Newtown, Montreal's hottest night spot - owned by a certain J Villeneuve.