BAR 007

BAR 007

Category	Formula One
Constructor	BAR Honda
Team	Lucky Strike BAR Honda F1
Designer	Geoff Willis
Drivers	3. Jenson Button 4. Takuma Sato Anthony Davidson
Chassis	Carbon Fibre Monocoque
Suspension (front)	Double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbones, pushrod
Engine	Honda RA005E, 90-degree V10
Gearbox	Honda Xtrac seven speed sequential paddle operated
Fuel
Tyres	Michelin
Debut	2005 Australian Grand Prix
Races competed	19
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0
Race victories	0
Pole positions	1
Fastest laps	0

The BAR 007.

The BAR 007 was a Formula One car for the 2005 season. The number 3 seat was taken by Jenson Button, with Takuma Sato in the number 4 seat. However, Sato was replaced by Anthony Davidson for the Malaysian Grand Prix as he had the flu. The teams test driver was Enrique Bernoldi along with Davidson.

The team had a poor start to the season, and were involved in controversy over the minimum weight of their cars (see below), and were disqualified from 1 race, banned from another 2. The team failed to score a point until the French Grand Prix. However, the teams fortunes were turning slightly, and Jenson Button scored points in all of the last 10 races, including two podium finishes. Takuma Sato only scored one point in the entire season, and was subsequently sacked from the team.

Design

The BAR 007was a clear evolution of the BAR 006, which had been highly successful for the team, leading to their second place in the championship behind Ferrari. The new 007 car was a much tighter design and overall it was smaller than the previous 006. BAR designers also managed to save significant weight over the 006 car, despite greater safety testing being inputted for the 2005 season.

The engine and gearbox was not left untouched either. For the 2005 season, engines had to last 2 races. Honda created a brand new V10 unit, which was smaller, lighter and had a better centre of gravity than the 2004 engine. The gearbox was also an evolution of the 2004 unit, with some modifications to allow it to fit in better with the new tight design..

Controversy

The BAR Honda's of both drivers were disqualified from the San Marino Grand Prix after it was found the cars could run below the minimum weight, stated by the FIA regulations of 605kg. BAR disagreed with the report, claiming the cars could not run with less than 6kg of fuel, therefore that pushed them over the minimum weight. They also claimed that they thought it was during race weight the rules meant, not in post-race scrutineering. The FIA decided to punish the team, banning them from two races, including the Monaco Grand Prix. Jenson Button commentated for ITVF1 in the Monaco Grand Prix, as he could not compete. BAR were going to contest the disqualification, but later changed their minds. Max Mosley wanted to have the team disqualified from the entire season, and some other team bosses felt the same .

The Last BAR

The BAR 007 was set to be the final BAR car. At the end of the 2005 season, Honda the engine supplier since 2000, secured 100% team ownership, purchsing it from British American Tobacco, the long term supporter of the team, thus why the cars carried sponsorship of BAT products. The cars would remain with the BAT sponsorship throughout 2006.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position, results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	Points	WCC
2005	BAR 007	Honda RA005E V10	M		AUS	MAL	BHR	SMR	ESP	MON	EUR	CAN	USA	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	TUR	ITA	BEL	BRA	JPN	CHN	38	6th
				Jenson Button	11	Ret	Ret	DSQ	EX	EX	10	Ret	DNS	4	5	3	5	5	8	3	7	5	8
				Takuma Sato	14	Inj	Ret	DSQ	EX	EX	12	Ret	DNS	11	16	12	8	9	16	Ret	10	DSQ	Ret
				Anthony Davidson		Ret