New look for BAR

The BAR Honda driven by the team's third driver, Anthony Davidson, sported a new look in the Friday practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix. Under the FIA regulations the third car can have a different livery from the racecars -- the task was to create a design for title sponsor Lucky Strike that showed the progression of the livery over the last few years, and also to come up with a new concept.

BAR Honda reveal the radical car which Anthony Davidson will drive in the Friday practice sessions for the Spanish GP.

Photo by LAT Photographic.

The result was the black and white colour scheme on Davidson's car. "There was lots to learn from the radical debrief, because it was so open," associate design director at Fitch Sam Stone explained on the team website. "We didn't have to worry where the sponsors' logos were positioned or about sporting restrictions, so we were able to do what we felt, in an ideal world, best represented the Lucky Strike brand."

The staff at the paintshop in BAR's Brackley base were a bit surprised when presented with the new design. "First of all we painted and assembled the car, as usual," said paintshop manager Andrew Moody. "The we applied the first wrap to the car that was the radical livery's base colour. After that we applied further wraps of colour and trimmed the vinyl patterns to complete the radical livery."

"Then we added the team and sponsor branding and the radical branding messaging. Although it took us eight hours to complete, ordinarily we'd probably take a bit more time on it. We were just a bit tight for time in order to get it ready for the Spanish GP."

The design was displayed to full advantage in today's two practices when Davidson was third in the first session and second fastest in the next. Only team race driver Jenson Button was quicker at the end of second practice. "Today has gone really well for me and for the team," said Davidson. "We ended the second session first and second fastest -- second being my best position in Friday practice so far this season, so I'm happy with that."