Takuma Sato positive about new BAR 005

By Phil Huff
January 23 2003

Lucky Strike BAR Honda's third driver, Takuma Sato, was impressed with the all-new BAR005 as the former Jordan man made his track return last week.

"My impression of the car is very good," said Sato. "The car is very stable, traction is better and it is very good in high-speed corners."

Sato hasn't driven a British American Racing car since 2001, when he tied together a dominant season of British Formula 3 with testing duties.

He said of David Richards BAR revolution, including overhauls of managerial and technical departments, "The car itself has improved so much to drive. Power-wise, the new engine is similar, but it is definitely much better than where Honda started last year."

And despite early rumblings from new team mate Jenson Button and testing partner Anthony Davidson that the new BAR is difficult to see out of, Sato said the 005 is "heaven" compared to the EJ12. "I'm lying down so much in this car, but visibility is no problem. In the Jordan, I couldn't see at all," possibly explaining his many shunts.