Nationality: UK/USA/Japan Drivers: Takuma Sato (Jpn) Jenson Button (GB) Engine: Honda V10 Tyres: Michelin Team principal: David Richards Years in F1: 6 2004 position: 2nd Drivers' titles: 0 Constructors' titles: 0

BAR-Honda have finally established themselves as serious contenders in 2004 after five seasons of over-spending and under-achievement.

The team built a good car, the Honda engine is now comparable with the best and the switch to Michelin tyres also paid off.

Jenson Button has gone all the way with his new machinery, and is showing signs of becoming a true top-line contender.

The talented but erratic Japanese Takuma Sato has also shone on occasion.

BAR's main target is to beat Renault to second place in the constructors' championship behind the unassailable Ferrari - an ambition unthinkable as recently as a year ago.

Honda have created a powerful - but not entirely reliable - engine which let BAR down far too many times in 2003.

But one luxury BAR do not have is endless money, or time, to prove themselves.

The team's owner, the tobacco giant BAT, tired last year of ploughing money into the team and drafted in former Subaru rally boss David Richards to run the team.

He was commanded not only to turn BAR's performance around, but also to cut their ridiculously large costs.

There has been enough progress to justify the changes, although arguably the most significant was the appointment of technical director Geoff Willis by Richards' predecessor Craig Pollock.

But this season was the time for the changes to pay off - and that is what they are doing.