BAR announces launch date

BAR is the fifth team to set the launch date of its 2005 challenger. The team will unveil the BAR Honda 007 at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday January 16th. BAR's race drivers for next year will be Jenson Button and Takuma Sato.

Anthony Davidson, who made quite a name for himself as BAR's third driver this season, looks likely to stay in the role unless he finds a race seat elsewhere. Davidson was due to test with Williams this week but BAR put a stop to it, as an agreement between the two teams could not be reached. Talks are reportedly ongoing.

BAR finished 2004 second overall in the constructors' standings and Button was third in the drivers' championship. Engine supplier Honda recently increased its commitment to the team and there is optimism that next year BAR can improve further still.

Dates confirmed so far:

Sauber - January 11th, Kuala Lumpur
BAR - January 16th, Barcelona
Williams - January 31st, Valencia
Red Bull Racing - February 7th, Jerez
Minardi - March 3rd, Albert Park