Canadian GP BAR race notes

MONTREAL, CANADA, June 18, 2000 - Timing and the elements combined to prevent Lucky Strike Reynard BAR Honda from scoring what was shaping up to be its best-ever Formula One finish in today''s Grand Prix of Canada. Adopting a one-stop strategy for fuel and tyres for drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Ricardo Zonta, the team looked in an extremely good position with both men running in the top six positions until nearly two-thirds distance in the 69-lap race. Unfortunately, the late-race pit-stop window chosen for both BAR Honda drivers corresponded with the onset of heavy rain that had been threatening. As a result, Villeneuve and Zonta were forced to make two pit visits in quick succession and tumbled to 10th and 11th places. Sadly, Villeneuve''s race ended when he tangled with Ralf Schumacher''s Williams on lap 66, while Zonta recovered some of the ground lost during the pit stops, pressing on to finish eighth. Jacques Villeneuve:
Position: DNF
"Today really was a disappointment. I got a great start, like the others this season - the clutch and engine were easy to control and I was able to keep wheelspin to a minimum. I was able to go well in the dry, and then in the wet the car was really quick. Unfortunately, a miscommunication in the pit stop meant we put the wrong tyres on and I had to return to the pits to have them changed. That spoiled our chances today. I then pushed hard to try and regain some of the places I had lost. Unfortunately, I guess I tried a little bit too hard." Ricardo Zonta:
Position: 8th
"The car was oversteering under power at the beginning of the race, but our strategy was to save a lot of fuel for the later stages. I wanted to fit wets as soon as it started to rain because it was clear looking at the sky that it was not going to be a short shower, but I could not make radio contact with my engineer and missed the chance to come in on that lap. That meant I had to stay out for two laps longer than I wanted to in wet conditions and effectively ended any chance Jacques or I had to score a points finish for the team." Craig Pollock:
Managing Director, British American Racing
"What started out to be a potential podium finish for us today turned to disaster. The team itself performed extremely well throughout the weekend, but it''s difficult not to be bitterly disappointed at the loss of almost certain points. In any event, we have to keep our spirits up and now focus on the French Grand Prix in two weeks. I think we can also be encouraged by our overall competitiveness this weekend." Takefumi Hosaka:
Managing Director, Honda R & D
"The happiness of seeing Jacques running in second place was good, but didn''t last long. We want as soon as possible to be getting closer to the top two on merit. It was a shame that we could not capitalise on our qualifying positions, but that''s racing."