 Jacques Villeneuve driving the BAR 004 at the2002 Italian Grand Prix | |||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | BAR | ||||||||
| Designers | Malcolm Oastler(Technical Director) Gary Savage(Head of Design - Composites) Andrew Green(Head of Design - Mechanical) Jason Rees(Head of Electronics) Willem Toet(Senior Aerodynamicist) Simon Lacey(Senior Aerodynamicist) | ||||||||
| Predecessor | 003 | ||||||||
| Successor | 005 | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon-fibremonocoque | ||||||||
| Suspension (front) | independent, pushrod-activated, inboard spring | ||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | independent, pushrod-activated, inboard spring | ||||||||
| Engine | Honda RA002E 2,994 cc (182.7 cu in)V10 (94°)naturally aspiratedmid-engine | ||||||||
| Transmission | BAR/Xtrac 7-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential | ||||||||
| Power | 835 hp @ 18,200 rpm[1] | ||||||||
| Fuel | Elf | ||||||||
| Tyres | Bridgestone | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Lucky Strike BAR Honda | ||||||||
| Notable drivers | 11. Jacques Villeneuve12.  Olivier Panis | ||||||||
| Debut | 2002 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||
| Last event | 2002 Japanese Grand Prix | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
TheBAR 004 was the car with which theBritish American RacingFormula One team competed in the2002 Formula One season.
The BAR 004 was launched on 18 December, 2001 at the teams headquarters inBrackley. The day after brand new team, Toyota.[2] The launch event also confirmed new team bossDavid Richards taking over fromCraig Pollock, and hisProdrive business taking on management of the team.[3] The 004 was the first car designed solely in house by British American Racing technical directorMalcolm Oastler following the end of a three year design agreement withReynard. Before the season began, engine supplierHonda confirmed a new contract to continue supplying engines to British American Racing until 2004.[4] This announcement at the cars launch also demonstrated the new Honda RA002E engine.[5]
At the first test in Barcelona in January, both Villeneuve and Panis tested the car alongside reserve driverAnthony Davidson. All were outside the top 10 in their respective times. By the time testing reachedValencia later in the month, Panis and Villeneuve finished 8th and 9th fastest respectively.[6]
However the season itself was a dismal one. By theBritish Grand Prix, they were rock bottom as the only team not to have scored any points. In that race, the team took full advantage of the mixed wet-dry conditions to score a double points finish, with Villeneuve in 4th and Panis in 5th.[7][8] The team would score just a further two points that season with Panis in 6th in Monza and Villeneuve in 6th at Indianapolis.[9][10] The team chalked up 17 retirements, including 5 races where both cars failed to finish. Olivier Panis did not complete a Grand Prix until the 8th round of the season inCanada.[11][12] Whilst some retirements were due to accidents, such as for Panis in Australia and Monte-Carlo, primarily the retirements were due to unreliability.[13][14][15] In season testing at Valencia was completed by Panis and Davidson in an attempt to resolve some of the issues.[16]
The BAR 004 would see the team finish 8th in the constructors championship with 7 points.[17]
Jacques Villeneuve andOlivier Panis were the race team drivers for the whole season. Villeneuve was completing his fourth season with the team, meanwhile Panis his second. The team had four reserve drivers who wereAnthony Davidson,Darren Manning,Patrick Lemarie andRyo Fukuda.[18][19]
Davidson was allowed to be temporarily released of duties for the team so he could race forMinardi whilstAlex Yoong took a two race break.[20][21]
The livery was similar to the previous season with subtle changes. The team retained sponsors includingTiscali and Sonax.
BAR used theLucky Strike logos, except at the British, French and United States Grand Prix.
(key) (results inbold indicate pole position, results initalics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | British American Racing | Honda RA002EV10 | B | AUS | MAL | BRA | SMR | ESP | AUT | MON | CAN | EUR | GBR | FRA | GER | HUN | BEL | ITA | USA | JPN | 7 | 8th | |
| Jacques Villeneuve | Ret | 8 | 10† | 7 | 7 | 10† | Ret | Ret | 12 | 4 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 8 | 9 | 6 | Ret | ||||||
| Olivier Panis | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | 8 | 9 | 5 | Ret | Ret | 12 | 12 | 6 | 12 | Ret | ||||||
| Sources:[22][23] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
