Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda launch

18 December 2001

Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda unveiled its new 2002 Formula One contender, the
B.A.R Honda 004, at the team’s Brackley factory today. They also announced
a basic agreement with Honda on the extension of their relationship to the
end of 2004, introduced a new management team, and confirmed a long-term
contract with Bridgestone.

Honda will introduce a new generation engine for the 2002 FIA Formula One
World Championship season. The RA002E is lighter, more powerful and has a
wider V angle than the 2001 engine, which means a lower centre of gravity.
The structure for ongoing development work of the engine has been
strengthened. 

Honda will also continue its joint chassis development programme with BAR,
and is keen to progress further this aspect of its Formula One programme.
A number of Honda chassis engineers will again be based at B.A.R’s
Brackley headquarters in 2002. 

Following Craig Pollock’s decision to step down as Managing Director and
Team Principal, David Richards was announced as new Team Principal at
today’s launch.  

In a significant addition to the team’s engineering personnel, the
experienced Geoff Willis was also introduced in his new capacity as
Technical Director. Willis will work alongside Malcolm Oastler,
Engineering Director.

B.A.R Honda’s race driver line-up remains unchanged for the 2002 season.
1997 World Drivers’ Champion Jacques Villeneuve enters the fourth year of
his career at B.A.R, underlining his strong desire to help the team
realise its true potential. He will again be joined by Frenchman Olivier
Panis, for his second year with B.A.R Honda.   

Anthony Davidson, Darren Manning and Patrick LeMarie continue their roles
as test drivers, and will be joined by a new recruit, young Japanese
driver Ryo Fukuda, who captured the French Formula 3 Championship in 2001. 

The final piece of the team set-up for 2002 was revealed when it was
announced that B.A.R had agreed a long-term extension to their contract
with tyre suppliers Bridgestone. 

Team Principal Designate David Richards commented:
“With today’s announcements B.A.R can move forward with a secure future
based on strong partnerships. For my part I will be carefully assessing
the situation over the next month before making any necessary changes.”

Honda R&D’s Toru Ogawa, who oversees the Formula One programme as Head of
Racing Technology Development, commented: 

“We would like to thank Craig Pollock for all his support and effort over
the past two years. We also wish David Richards every success in his new
position. We are looking forward to the challenges ahead of us. There have
been a number of changes in the team structure, and we are looking to take
the next step forward. 

“Our development structure within Honda R&D has been strengthened, and we
are aiming to progress our chassis development programme further.      

“We are also looking forward to seeing our completely new engine out on
the track at last.”