BAR to reject Suzuka Agreement and continue tests

By Phil Huff
December 16 2002

It looks like British American Racing, rather predictably, will not be joining Minardi in the new Suzuka Agreement. By signing up, BAR would be committing to just 10 days testing through 2003, as well as two hours extra running on the Friday of each Grand Prix.

With arch rivals Toyota continuing a full testing programme it always looked unlikely. With news that BAR have booked the Barcelona circuit between 14 and 16 January 2003, it looks inconceivable that the current situation will be abandoned.

With just Minardi positive about the new rules, and Jordan likely to join in for financial reasons, the FIA will not get the necessary three teams committed to invoke the new regulations. As such, the chance of saving significant amounts of money disappears.