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BAR Honda have arrived in Brazil for the third of the
season-opening flyaways and one of the most established Grands Prix in
the Formula 1 calendar. After two tough races in Australia and
Malaysia, the team are looking to kick-start their season in São
Paulo and draw a line underneath the reliability issues that have
blighted their performance.
The weekend of the Malaysian Grand Prix was fraught with
difficulties for the team. Olivier Panis suffered a recurrent clutch
problem which eventually brought about his retirement from the race
after only 9 laps. Jacques Villeneuve's 8th place finish was scant
reward for a hard-fought race.
At the end of the race, Team Principal David Richards reiterated his
belief that only radical changes within the team would allow it to
achieve its goals. Having made clear his intention to undertake a
detailed and extensive review of the team immediately upon his
appointment last December, David completed his self-imposed 90-day
study and announced a significant restructure last Thursday (21
March). Key personnel changes include the departure of Malcolm
Oastler, Engineering Director and Andy Green, Chief Designer.
David Richards paid tribute to the dedication shown by the people who
created the team but underlined the fact that the organisation had not
delivered the expected results. Technical Director Geoff Willis is now
undertaking his own review of the car and the team's technical
capability, a process which he expects to complete within the next
couple of weeks.
Jacques Villeneuve on the Brazilian Grand Prix
"This has been a very difficult and disappointing start to the
season, but I am confident that the changes mean we will be heading in
the right direction, although only time will tell. There is no point
in looking back, we now have to look forward and work on improving our
car and the whole way we operate. We aren't expecting to see any
massive improvements in Brazil but hopefully by Imola the results will
start to show.
"In terms of the race itself, I'm not that fond of Interlagos.
The circuit has character but is not high up on my list of favourites.
It's a great crowd though - the fans create a really special
atmosphere."
Olivier Panis on the Brazilian Grand Prix
"The first two Grands Prix were very difficult but we have to
look forward. I feel that my own season hasn't really started yet; I
completed only a few hundred metres and then 9 laps in those two races
and that's definitely not what I'm here for.
"David Richards has addressed our problems and the changes made
last week were necessary to achieve our short and long-term
objectives. I want things to turn around for the team. We had an
intensive test in Barcelona last week and everyone was very focused.
Now we have to wait and see how things go for us in Brazil.
"Interlagos brings me a lot of good memories and I like to race
here. It's very challenging because we drive anti-clockwise and the
circuit is incredibly bumpy, which makes it very physical with the
heat as well. It's a good track for overtaking too, particularly if you
are right behind someone at the end of the straight. I hope we get the
chance to take advantage of that."
David Richards, Team Principal
"The last week has seen some major changes within BAR including a
fundamental reorganisation of the team. We have to balance the
necessity to improve performance in the short-term whilst making the
changes required to deliver our long-term goals.
"I am confident that we now have a stable base from which we can
start building for the future, but we still have a long way to
go."
The Circuit
Race Distance - 71 Laps. 190.067 miles (305.909 km)
Circuit Length - 2.677 miles (4.309km)
The anti-clockwise Autodromo José Carlos Pace was built in a natural
bowl that has gradually been absorbed by the sprawling city of São
Paulo. Notable for its difficult corners and tight infield section, it
is also a very bumpy circuit, despite regular re-laying of the racing
surface. Therefore, chassis set-up priorities are to ensure the car
rides well, and has high levels of grip in the corners with as little
downforce as possible, so straight-line speed remains high.
The weather around São Paulo can be hot and humid and there is the
ever-present possibility of a torrential downpour, but the abrasive
tarmac surface tends to dry quickly as soon as the rain stops. The
original track, first used in 1940, twisted around itself between two
lakes, hence the name Interlagos. The new shorter version misses out
much of the old track, but maintains the track's stand-out feature - a
steep start-line straight.
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