BAR Valencia test summary 2005-02-15/17

Lucky Strike B*A*R Honda completed a three-day, three-driver, exclusive test in Valencia yesterday as preparations continue for the new season which starts in Melbourne on 6 March. Race drivers Jenson Button and Takuma Sato drove for the first two days of the test, with third driver Anthony Davidson arriving on Thursday to take over from Jenson. The team continued to focus on aerodynamic and tyre evaluations at the penultimate test before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

The test began on Tuesday with Jenson driving the B*A*R Honda 007 car and Takuma in the '05 Concept car. Although the blustery winds meant that conditions were not ideal, both drivers worked through tyre programmes in addition to putting some good mileage on the Honda engine. Jenson completed 111 laps with Takuma completing 138 laps.

The drivers changed cars on the second morning with Takuma in the 007 car. He completed an aerodynamic evaluation, alongside a long-run tyre programme, covering 57 laps for the day. In the Concept car, Jenson spent the early runs finding a good set-up before moving on to a tyre compound evaluation. His final lap tally for the day was 97 laps.

Takuma continued in the 007 car on Thursday, running through an aerodynamic evaluation, to complete a total of 145 laps. Anthony joined the test to take over from Jenson in the Concept car, completing a total of 95 laps running through long tyre evaluations.

Jenson Button:

"We were able to put some valuable mileage on both cars car this week, running through aerodynamic and tyre programmes in preparation for the start of the season. The wind made the running a little difficult but overall I am happy with the progress made. We'll be back in Valencia next week for one final test before the real action begins in Melbourne."

Takuma Sato:

"We completed a lot of laps this week and are very happy with the results from some intensive engine, tyre and aerodynamic work. We could only run one new car due to preparations back at the factory for the first race but still the work we achieved was useful. I'm feeling positive about our testing progress as we get so close to the new season."

Anthony Davidson:

"It was good to get back in the car today and we had a positive test. Conditions were better this morning following a couple of windy days so I was able to get results from the long run tyre evaluations. We completed most of our planned programme for the Concept car and are progressing all the time."

Andrew Alsworth, Test Team Manager:

"The main objective this week has been to finalise the specification of the cars for the Australian Grand Prix. The first two days were very windy which meant we had to modify our plans slightly. We did however manage to complete the full test programme, concentrating on both engine and tyre work. We will conclude the pre-season testing schedule next week test here in Valencia."

Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director, Honda Racing Development:

"The latest specification engine went pretty much as we thought it would, and we will be bringing in a further upgrade to complete pre-season preparations back here next week."

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