Formula 1
British GP: BAR preview
Lucky Strike B*A*R Honda returned to its Northamptonshire base this week to make final preparations for its home Grand Prix which takes place at the Silverstone circuit this weekend. B*A*R Honda completed some valuable track time at the Silverstone ...
Published: Jul 6, 2005, 3:25 PM
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Lucky Strike B*A*R Honda returned to its Northamptonshire base this week to make final preparations for its home Grand Prix which takes place at the Silverstone circuit this weekend. B*A*R Honda completed some valuable track time at the Silverstone test in June, when they ran aerodynamic and tyre evaluation programmes in preparation for this weekend's race.
The British Grand Prix is Round 11 of the Formula One World Championship and is the third of four gruelling sets of back-to-back races in the middle of the 2005 calendar. After a competitive race in Magny Cours last weekend, where Jenson Button scored a fourth place, the team are optimistic for Silverstone this weekend.
Every team wants to put on a good show at their home event, with B*A*R Honda and British driver Jenson Button being no exception. Both Jenson and Takuma Sato were greeted by legions of British fans at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month, where the public were able to get close to the drivers and vehicles spanning several eras.
The B*A*R Honda team experienced an overwhelming reception at the event, in preparation for what promises to be one of the busiest British Grand Prix weekends, with a maximum capacity crowd and grandstands full of loyal British F1 supporters.
Jenson Button:
"My home Grand Prix at Silverstone is always very special to me as I am extremely patriotic and it feels just like coming home. Last year we had a very good experience at the British Grand Prix, as the team and myself had a huge number of the fans, which was a great feeling."
"After the excitement of Magny Cours, where we had a good result, it feels great to be back in Britain to prepare for our home race. It goes without saying that it would be fantastic to achieve another podium this weekend. I love racing at Silverstone and we completed a very positive test there in June in preparation for the race."
"It's incredibly moving to drive in front of my home crowd, especially with the sea of Union Jacks down the start-finish straight. Most importantly, this is a weekend when the whole team get to experience the cars at a race weekend and share in our achievements, so I am very excited about the race and hope that we will be able to put on a great show for everyone."
Takuma Sato:
"The British Grand Prix is very important to us, for two reasons. Firstly because it is the team's home grand prix, and also for me personally because it feels like my second home as I have competed in many British Junior races and have lots of great memories of Silverstone. Even if the weather is not great, I really enjoy the atmosphere at the circuit!"
"It has very fast, flowing corners and the combination of the Esses is very similar to Suzuka, which is very challenging. The slow speed complex offers close racing opportunities and all together it is a fun circuit to drive. The fans are also extremely supportive of the team, so I am really looking forward to Silverstone next weekend."
Gil de Ferran, Sporting director:
"Following an encouraging performance in France we come to Silverstone in an upbeat mood. It is a very fast circuit that should suit our cars. There is nothing particularly new on the car to speak of for this race, but we are running updated versions of engines and aero packages since the last Silverstone test."
"The changeable weather can always be an unpredictable factor during the British Grand Prix weekend, which can make things quite interesting on the pit wall! Obviously this is Jenson's and our team's home Grand Prix, so there is a lot going on, which in a way puts a little more pressure on everyone."
"On the other hand its very motivating to perform in front of the home crowd. Since our factory is just down the road and a lot of our guys live locally, most of our factory-based team will be in attendance."
Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering director, Honda Racing Development:
"The latest specification Honda engines worked well in Magny Cours which gives us cause for optimism this coming weekend at the team's home Grand Prix. A great many of our Honda associates will be coming to Silverstone and the entire team is working very hard to ensure the best possible preparation for a successful race on Sunday."
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