BAR Jerez test notes 2002-12-14

Jenson Button was back on track for Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda today for the second and final day of his debut test in Jerez. Running alongside regular test driver Anthony Davidson, he continued with the Bridgestone tyre test and Honda engine programmes which he began yesterday.

After a heavy night's rain at the Spanish circuit, the track was quite 'green' at the start of the day's running. Too dry for intermediates and too damp for drys, the team waited for optimum track conditions before starting Jenson's tyre programme. Jenson enjoyed a productive afternoon and at the end of today's session he had clocked up 68 laps, posting a fastest lap of 1:22.681

Jenson now heads off to enjoy his Winter break in preparation for his first test in the B.A.R Honda 005 in January. At the end of today's running, he commented: "It's been a little bit up and down today. The weather conditions made it difficult to test anything early on but once it was dry we were able to do some proper tyre testing which was good."

"This has been a positive test for me - a good starting point. It's better to get to know the team before I get into the new car which I'm looking forward to driving for the first time in January. I feel very much at home with the team. There's a good vibe and I've started to build a good relationship with my engineers who seemed happy with my feedback. I'm looking forward to a good break now before we start testing next month."

Anthony Davidson continued with the control systems and brake development programmes he started at the team's last test in Barcelona. He completed 56 laps and achieved a best lap time of 1:21.862. He commented: "I didn't get as much running as I would have liked and then my day ended half an hour early because of a mechanical problem. The work we were able to do seems to have been useful though so I hope we can continue that into tomorrow."

Anthony continues in the car tomorrow when he will be joined by Japanese driver Kosuke Matsuura in his debut F1 test.

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