BAR 002

Summary

The BAR 002 was the car with which the British American Racing Formula One team competed in the 2000 Formula One season. It was driven by the 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, and Brazilian Ricardo Zonta, both drivers in their second year with the team.

BAR 002
The BAR 002 of Ricardo Zonta on display at Honda Collection Hall
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorBritish American Racing
Designer(s)Adrian Reynard (Technical Director)
Malcolm Oastler (Chief Designer)
Willem Toet (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor01
Successor003
Technical specifications
ChassisMoulded carbon fibre composite structure
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pushrod/torsion springs/rockers, mechanical anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, pushrod/torsion springs/rockers, mechanical anti-roll bar
EngineHonda RA000E 3-litre 72-degree V10
TransmissionBAR six-speed longitudinal semi-automatic, sequential
Power810 hp @ 17,000 rpm[1]
Fuel?
Lubricants? (Rd. 1–2),
Nisseki Mitsubishi (Rd. 3–17)
TyresBridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrantsLucky Strike BAR Honda
Notable drivers22. Canada Jacques Villeneuve
23. Brazil Ricardo Zonta
Debut2000 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2000 Malaysian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
17000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Season edit

 
Ricardo Zonta at the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix
 
Honda RA000E 3.0L V10 engine

The BAR 002 was the inaugural season of a Honda engine supply, a partnership which would eventually lead to the team being bought out by the Japanese company for the 2006 season. The car had its first shakedown with the new engine at Silverstone Circuit in December 1999, where Jacques Villeneuve completed 34 laps.[2][3] Due to a focus on the reliability of the car for 2000, visually the car looked very similar to the BAR 01 of the previous season.[4]

The BAR 002 was launched at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, on 24 January, 2000.[5] Alongside full time drivers Villeneuve and Zonta, Darren Manning was signed as test driver and Patrick Lemarié continued as a development driver for the season.[6] This was the first time the BAR had been seen in its new Lucky Strike livery, stepping away from the split branding of Lucky Strike and 555 the season prior.[7]

Following the failure of the 1999 season where BAR scored no points; both Villeneuve and Zonta scored points in the first race at Australia.[8] Fourth place would be the cars best finish of the season, Villeneuve achieving this across a further three Grand Prix in France, Austria and the United States of America. Zonta scored points at a total of three Grand Prix in 2000.[9]

During the season in August, it was announced Ricardo Zonta would be replaced by Olivier Panis for the 2001 season.[10] Zonta later criticising the atmosphere in the team in 2000.[11]

The team finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship, with 20 points. This tally was equal to the Benetton team, but Giancarlo Fisichella's podium finishes ensured that the Anglo-Italian team stayed ahead.

In 2012, chassis 020-05, which scored points in the hands of Zonta at the Italian Grand Prix, was offered for sale at auction in Monaco. It had been acquired by Brawn GP when purchasing the assets of the former Honda F1 Team.[12][13]

Complete Formula One results edit

(key)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
2000 BAR Honda V10 B AUS BRA SMR GBR ESP EUR MON CAN FRA AUT GER HUN BEL ITA USA JPN MAL 20 5th
  Jacques Villeneuve 4 Ret 5 16 Ret Ret 7 15 4 4 8 12 7 Ret 4 6 5
  Ricardo Zonta 6 9 12 Ret 8 Ret Ret 8 Ret Ret Ret 14 12 6 6 9 Ret

References edit

  1. ^ "Honda". Stats F1. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Villeneuve Takes BAR-Honda for a First Round". AtlasF1. 7 December 1999. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  3. ^ "The BAR-Honda runs". grandprix.com. 13 December 1999. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  4. ^ "BAR002". F1 Technical. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  5. ^ "BAR looks for 'fresh start' after launching 002". Autosport. 24 January 2000. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Manning Signs as BAR Test Driver". AtlasF1. 22 December 1999. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  7. ^ "BAR Honda Launch in London". AtlasF1. 24 January 2000. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Australian GP Race in Review". Motorsport. 12 March 2000. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  9. ^ "BAR IN 2000". Racing Statistics. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Panis in two-year deal with 'ambitious' BAR". The Independent. 18 August 2000. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Zonta: 'I suffered too much at BAR". Autosport. 8 November 2000. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  12. ^ "2000 B.A.R. Formula 1". Classic Driver. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  13. ^ "BAR 2000". Concept Carz. Retrieved 19 May 2022.