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Lucky Strike B.A.R
Honda and Jordan Honda were back in Barcelona this week to
continue their pre-season testing programs in warm, dry
conditions at the Circuit de Catalunya in Northern Spain.
B.A.R Honda’s Olivier Panis focused on general set-up work in
the B.A.R Honda 004 on the first day (Monday) of the three-day
test. Jacques Villeneuve joined the team on the second day
(Tuesday) to continue the development program in the 2002-spec
car, allowing Panis to concentrate on a Bridgestone
tire-testing program in the B.A.R Honda 003. B.A.R Honda test
driver Anthony Davidson was also on hand to drive the
2001-spec car and consolidate the long-term development work
he began in Valencia last week.
On the third day (Wednesday) of the test Panis completed 77
laps in the B.A.R Honda 003 and set a best lap of 1:19.182s,
fifth fastest of the day, while Villeneuve recorded a fastest
lap of 1:20.312s in the B.A.R Honda 004, the eighth quickest
time of the day.
Jordan Honda began a four-day test at the Spanish circuit on
Tuesday with Takuma Sato and up-and-coming German 19 year-old
Marcel Lasee, winner of the 2001 German Formula Renault
Championship.
On the first day (Tuesday) of the test Sato executed systems
checks and general set-up work in the Jordan Honda EJ12 while
Lasee took to the track in the Jordan Honda EJ11,
familiarizing himself with the car and carrying out some
set-up work for the team. Giancarlo Fisichella joined Jordan
Honda on the second day (Wednesday) to continue general set-up
work in the Jordan Honda EJ11 and test development brakes and
front suspension geometry.
Fisichella set his fastest time of the test today (Friday),
with a lap of 1:21.00s, the sixth quickest of the day. Sato
recorded his best time yesterday (Thursday) with a laptime of
1:20.34s, seventh fastest on the day. Shortly afterwards the
Japanese driver stepped unhurt from a high-speed accident when
his car suffered a broken axle.
Lasee, who set a best lap and eleventh fastest time of the day
on the second day (Wednesday) of the test of 1:20.521s, was
given the opportunity to drive a Formula One car through
Deutsche Post Worldnet, one of Jordan’s primary sponsors, who
actively support a German young driver program with the intent
to recruit fresh talent to Formula One.
Both Honda-powered teams will be testing in Valencia next
week. Jordan Honda begins a three-day test on 5 February and
B.A.R Honda starts a five-day test on 6 February.
Shuhei Nakamoto, Race and Test Team Manager, Honda Racing
Development commented: "The B.A.R Honda test in Barcelona went
quite well. There were a few problems, which is usual in the
early stages of running a new engine, but the causes were all
identified and solutions found. We’ve gathered a lot of data
and are progressing smoothly.
We experienced some problems later in the week at the Jordan
Honda test, which unfortunately restricted our running time.
However, a complete solution has been found for a serious
problem we had at last week’s shakedown, which is an important
step forward. We are focusing on next week’s testing, when we
hope to make further progress."
Olivier Panis, B.A.R Honda, reflected: "Today (Wednesday) I
completed a tire test program for Bridgestone in the BAR003
and am happy with the work we’ve done. We will continue with
that program in Valencia next week as part of our preparation
for the Australian Grand Prix. Once again today confirmed that
the BAR004 feels mechanically much better than last year’s
car."
Jacques Villeneuve B.A.R Honda, was feeling positive: "Today
(Wednesday) was a better day for me. We did some good set-up
work and the car felt better than it did yesterday so I’m
feeling more positive."
Takuma Sato, Jordan Honda, commented: "It was nice to have a
proper test with the new car, which I was able to drive for
the first two days. We had a couple of problems, which have
prevented us from getting a lot of running. But it’s important
to get to know the new car and the last few days were positive
and progressive. I have been doing some long runs, close to a
race simulation and also some qualifying runs, which gave me
an excellent feeling. Unfortunately today the axle broke on
the last corner and I had quite a big shunt at around 250kph.
I’m totally fine, but frustrated because I was doing a really
fast lap time when it happened!"
Giancarlo Fisichella, Jordan Honda, said: "We had a few small
problems today, but that is normal and you expect it when the
car is new. During the four-day test we didn’t complete as
many laps as we usually would at a test, but given the track
time we had, our progress has been good and we are very close
to our target lap time for the stage we’re at. I’m quite
optimistic, but there is a lot of work to do in the next few
tests."
--Honda--
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Enrique Bernoldi
