Button and Sato keen to stage podium comeback
The BAR team are in confident mood as they prepare to resume Grand
Prix action at the Nurburgring this weekend after sitting out their
two-race ban in Spain and Monaco.
Since their Imola setback, which saw the team punished for a weight
irregularity on Jenson Buttons car, BAR have continued to test,
putting a further series of tyre, brake, engine and aerodynamic
developments through their paces.
The results have been promising, with Takuma Sato topping the times
in the final day of the recent Paul Ricard session, and the team
believe a podium finish in Sundays European Grand Prix is not out
of the question.
"We have spent the last few weeks waiting somewhat impatiently for
this weekend and, although we would rather have been racing, all
efforts went into turning this hiatus into an opportunity for the
team to improve its performance, said sporting director Gil de
Ferran.
Since we last raced in Imola there have been several enhancements
to our aerodynamic performance, which bode well for the coming
races. As we haven't had the opportunity to measure up against the
competition, we look forward to doing so at the Nurburgring."
BAR had mixed fortunes at the European round last year, with Takuma
Sato scoring his first front-row grid position before retiring from
the race, and Jenson Button clinching a podium finish behind the
two Ferraris.
"I really enjoy racing at this circuit; it has some interesting
track characteristics, particularly a lot of undulation which make
it a lot of fun to drive, said Sato. It's a good place to make
our comeback. We had a strong race here last year and I'm looking
forward to a good performance on Sunday."
The whole team is incredibly upbeat and determined, added Button.
I've been so impressed with the way they've handled this situation
and I can't wait to see what we can achieve at the
Nurburgring.
"The most frustrating thing about the past few weeks has been
knowing that we have a strong car with some very impressive new
developments just sitting in the factory when we could have been
out there challenging for podiums, if not wins.
BAR are certainly in need of points. After being stripped of their
San Marino result they are yet to score a point in 2005.