BAR Monza test summary 2003-06-03/05

Lucky Strike B*A*R Honda completed a three-day test in Monza this afternoon (Thursday) in preparation for next weekend's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Monza is an ideal track to prepare for the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as it demands equally heavy braking and it is possible to run similar aerodynamic configurations. The team clocked up over 2000kms whilst working through a programme of aerodynamic development together with tyre, brake and engine testing.

B*A*R's third driver, Takuma Sato, began running on Tuesday alongside test driver Anthony Davidson on a circuit still damp from overnight rain. Anthony commenced the process of tyre selection for Canada and some chassis development work. He ended the day as the second fastest man on the track, with a best time of 1:24.024 after 62 laps. Takuma's running was restricted to the afternoon session but after 23 laps he had established a good base set-up for the car. His best time was a 1:24.608.

Day two was a hot and humid day in which Anthony was charged with running the latest specification of Honda engine for the morning session. He completed 39 laps before Jacques Villeneuve took over the car for the afternoon. Jacques continued the programme of engine mapping work and determined the specification of tyre that will be used in Montreal. He completed 43 laps and posted a fastest lap time of 1:24.110. Takuma concentrated on more set-up work after day one's limited mileage before continuing with his tyre test for Bridgestone. He completed 51 laps and his best time was 1:23.831.

Satisfied with the work he had completed in preparation for Canada, Jacques concluded his testing duties to rest a recurrent back injury which had flared up slightly after the Monaco Grand Prix. He commented: "Anthony started the programme on day one and did a good job with the engine mapping work for Canada. We worked closely with Bridgestone and chose our tyres for Montreal, so all in all it's been a good test as we achieved everything that we had planned. I'm looking forward to a better race next weekend."

Takuma and Anthony were back on track together for the third and final day of testing today, completing more than 170 laps between them. Takuma posted the second fastest time of the day - a 1:22.932 after 87 laps - while Anthony's best time was 1:23.446 after 88 laps.

Takuma Sato:

"I've had a positive three-day test here this week. The first two days were a little frustrating because I wasn't able to complete many laps, which was a shame, but I was able to make up for it today. We've completed some good preparation for Montreal and the latest specification engine seems to be a positive step. It is very encouraging for the team to be able to end the test on a high note as we head to Canada and it's good that Jenson will be back in action there."

Anthony Davidson:

"It's been a very productive test. We've put some good mileage on the car and Honda's latest engine specification seems good, so we should feel very positive for the next race."

Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director at Honda Racing Development:

"Testing with the new specification engine in Monza this week has gone well, and we're looking forward to seeing what we can do in Montreal."

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