 BAR's hybrid car features the 2005 rear end and a modified chassis |
BAR are planning to do more pre-season testing than ever before as they push for a first victory in 2005. The team will start work at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya on Wednesday with Jenson Button at the wheel.
The Englishman will be driving a "concept" car, with a new gearbox and Honda engine in a hybrid chassis painted in a black and silver livery.
"The new car design represents a sizeable improvement," said BAR technical director Geoff Willis.
"That will be needed to compete successfully in what will be an even more intense championship next year."
BAR were the surprise package of 2004, finishing second in the championship behind the dominant Ferrari team and ahead of more usual front-runners Williams and McLaren.
BAR, who are now part-owned by Honda, say they are determined to at least repeat that performance in 2005.
"While the 2004 chassis was extremely reliable, we want to improve," Willis said. "We are planning a further increase in testing, over and above the level of testing we ran in the winter of 2003-04.
"The prupose of the 2005 concept car is to evaluate the performance and reliability of our new Honda engine, the transmission and rear-end systems."
MMIX
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