Formula One: Honda concludes 3-day F1 test in Jerez
7 December 2000
FIA Formula 1 World Championship Jerez de la Frontera, Spain - Testing HONDA CONCLUDES TWO-TEAM THREE-DAY TEST IN JEREZ Thursday 7 December 2000 Honda's pre-season testing activities began in earnest this week with a three-day test at Jerez de la Frontera in Southern Spain. The week featured many notable events for Honda, including Olivier Panis' first drive in the BAR Honda and the first official running of the Jordan Honda team who will be powered by 'works' Honda engines for the 2001 season. Jordan's on-track programme featured official test driver and former BAR Honda race driver Ricardo Zonta, as well as established Jordan pilot Jarno Trulli. This morning, the Silverstone-based team also offered the first experience of a Formula One car to young Japanese hotshot Takuma Sato, who enjoyed such an impressive first season in British F3 this year. BAR Honda's new race driver Olivier Panis spent all three days behind the wheel of a Honda-powered car for the first time. The Frenchman made an instant impression on his new team, always featuring among the top drivers and setting the fastest time of all on Thursday morning. Official BAR Honda test driver Darren Manning also had a productive three days. "All in all we have had a very successful test in Jerez," confirmed Kazutoshi Nishizawa, Technical Director at Honda Racing Development. "We have already developed a good relationship with BAR's new driver Olivier Panis and we have worked very well with all the guys at Jordan. "Although the main focus of our activities this week was to build up good working relationships with our new partners, we have managed to do some excellent work on engine software modifications and I am sure we will be able to use the new solutions in the 2001 season. "I think we can be very positive for the New Year, not only because of our test results with the teams, but we have also tested some new Bridgestone tyres and they have worked really well." Jordan Honda's next test takes place in Valencia, Spain from 13-15 December. BAR Honda returns to the track in Barcelona on 18-20 December.