Austrian GP: BAR race notes

The sun may have been shining in Zeltweg today but, for Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda, good fortune certainly wasn't. The 2002 Austrian Grand Prix was brought to a premature end for both drivers when engine problems put paid to all hope of securing the team's first points finish of the season.

Jacques Villeneuve

"The car was quick in the race, except towards the end when I had the first signs of a problem. We took the decision to run a two-stop strategy because of where I was on the grid and that was really working out for me for the first half of the race. I was able to pass a lot of people and took advantage of the first safety car to come in for my first pitstop. What really cost us today was the penalty. The second safety car stayed out for quite a long time but it was too early in our strategy to make my second pitstop. Towards the end of the race we knew there was a problem because we were losing hydraulic pressure, then the engine let go on the last lap. It's been a better race for me than the rest of the weekend though. I'd forgotten what racing is like and today was a little reminder."

Olivier Panis

"My start was very good but I lost places because I was heavy on fuel. I still felt quite confident though because, as we now know, one-stopping would have been the right strategy. On the 3rd lap I felt something happen with the car; it suddenly felt a little strange. I kept pushing but in the end the engine blew as I was coming down the straight to start my 23rd lap. Sure, I'm a little disappointed, but we have to keep pushing and stay focused now. I really feel that I got the best out of the car here this weekend. We made good progress with the set-up and I qualified well so it's just a question of making it through the race with no problems now. We are still going forward and I'm sure that my luck will change soon. I'm ready for Monaco!"

David Richards, Team Principal

"A race where neither car finishes can hardly be described as a good weekend but on the other hand you have to look on the positive side. We did more laps than any other team without any technical problems and our overall race strategy would have delivered a result for both cars. I can only hope that our luck changes sooner rather than later."

Driver/Chassis
Jacques Villeneuve: BAR004/07
DNF (70 laps) - Classified 10th
Best lap time: 1:10.823

Olivier Panis: BAR004/04
Position: DNF (22 laps)
Best lap time: 1:12.594

T-Car: BAR004/06

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