Honda-powered teams encouraged by first test of 2002

Honda-powered teams encouraged by first test of 2002 

Honda’s 2002 test programme began this week with both Lucky Strike B.A.R
Honda and Jordan Honda running at the Circuit de Catalyuna in Barcelona,
Spain.

The B.A.R Honda 004 was the first 2002-spec car to be run on the Spanish
circuit at the start of the week, with Olivier Panis recording a fastest
time on the first day of 1m21.909s. On the final day (Friday) he rounded
off an encouraging week by completing a race distance in the B.A.R Honda
004, just four days after the shakedown commenced. 

B.A.R Honda test driver Anthony Davidson was also on hand for the five-day
test but was behind the wheel of a 2001-spec car. Davidson, who has
impressed the team with a solid performance all week, posted a fastest
time of 1m20.865s. On day three of the test (Wednesday) Jacques Villeneuve
experienced his first run in the B.A.R Honda 004 and his initial feedback
was encouraging. He completed 43 laps and recorded a fastest time of
1m22.817s.

Both of Jordan Honda’s new drivers, 2001 British F3 Champion Takuma Sato
and Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, drove the team’s 2001 car, the EJ11, for
all three days of their test. Fisichella posted the fastest lap time of
all the Honda-powered drivers, a 1m18.483s.

Despite the overcast and rainy conditions which left a damp track for much
of the test and limited the useful dry weather running time, both
Honda-powered teams and the Honda engineers were able to start collecting
valuable engine and chassis data and, equally as important, feedback from
the drivers. 

Shuhei Nakamoto, Race and Test Team Manager, Honda Racing Development
commented, “ We didn’t do as much running as we’d planned because the
track conditions weren’t great, but we nevertheless ran a considerable
number of laps, and got some valuable data and a good idea of areas we
have to work on. As it’s been the shakedown test for our new engine, and
we have a few problems with it, we have not been running on full revs.
We’re concentrating on getting to our target performance level for the
first race. 

“We’ll keep going with our preparations, working hard at the tests which
are scheduled almost every day now, so that we are ready to start the 2002
season with the best overall structure possible. This first test has
finished without any major problems, and it’s fair to say it’s gone quite
well.”

Giancarlo Fisichella, Jordan Honda, reflected: "It’s been a very good day.
We did a variety of set-up work and I did a lot of laps.  Last year was a
difficult year for me and I’m just getting used to a new car, so putting
in the quickest lap time of the week is a good feeling.  I’m pleased but
it will be better if I can do the same in qualifying!"

Olivier Panis, B.A.R Honda, was pleased with what has been achieved: “I
still feel really positive. Today we managed 84 laps with one long race
distance run and there were no problems. The car felt really stable. The
team have done an excellent job this winter and I feel confident. We’ve
been quite conservative with the engine this test, but the reliability is
there and that’s important.”

Jacques Villeneuve, B.A.R Honda, feels there is good reason to be
positive: “The car has definitely improved and there’s a lot more still to
come. Also, the engine is still in its infancy so there’s a lot more to
come from that as well. This year, the mechanical side of the car feels
much better. The rear is a lot more stable, and in high speeds the cars
seems to be more stable as well. As this is just a preliminary test there
will be some more changes for the next test so I’ll be back in the car
then. We knew there was going to be a big difference in the car this year
and so it’s nice to get in it and see those improvements.”

Takuma Sato, Jordan Honda, commented: “It’s great to be back testing in a
Formula One car and also spend time getting to know the teams at Jordan
and Honda. Everybody is very professional and I’m looking forward to
becoming more involved in the team atmosphere. Due to the changeable track
conditions it has been hard to work through the testing programme today,
but I was still able to benefit from the day’s running by concentrating on
familiarising myself with the car and its control systems. These next few
weeks of testing are very important to me and I’m excited to be at Jordan
and working alongside Giancarlo, and very much looking forward to my debut
Grand Prix in Australia.”

Both Honda-powered teams will be hoping for better weather as their
testing programmes continue next week. Jordan Honda will commence a
three-day test in Valencia, Spain on 15 January. B.A.R Honda moves to
Vairano, Italy for a two-day test, before travelling to Valencia on 17
January for a four-day test. 

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