British American Racing

British American Racing ( short: BAR ) was a British Formula 1 racing team, which emerged in late 1998 by taking over from the tradition Team Tyrrell and took between 1999 and 2005 to almost 120 Grand Prix races. Majority owner and namesake was the tobacco company British American Tobacco (BAT ), which campaigned on the racing cars especially with the Lucky Strike brand. The end of 2005 the team was fully acquired by Japanese car manufacturer Honda and continued until 2008 under the name Honda Racing F1.

History

The BAT was seen for some time in F1 as a sponsor. In 1997, she was then approached by Craig Pollock, if they did not want to start their own team. They took over then for £ 30 million, the Tyrrell team. 1998 Tyrrell drove his last season and in the following year, the team was officially presented as a BAR.

1999 brought with Jacques Villeneuve Pollock, whom he assisted as a manager, a well-known drivers. Villeneuve's teammate Ricardo Zonta was, who came from the FIA ​​GT Championship and his Formula 1 debut. The announcements of the manager, soon to be at the top in Formula 1, but have not met. Although Jacques Villeneuve repeatedly ranked third position in the race, he and his team were able to get hold of a period and BAR was at the end behind Minardi, which reached a World Cup counter.

A special feature was the two -tone paint scheme of the car. BAT wanted to advertise his race car for the two belonging to the Group brands Lucky Strike and State Express 555. Both brands were present on different markets. Initially, the company wanted to address these markets at the same time by one of the BAR cars were painted in the colors of Lucky Strike, the second was wearing the blue primed finish of State Express. The FIA ​​refused to do so, however, with the note from that the cars of a team would have to present a united front, and threatened BAR in the event of any contravention with a racing exclusion. Ultimately, the team decided that was advertised on any car for both brands. The right side of each vehicle was blue - painted yellow ( the color of State Express 555 ), while the left side white and red, that is, in the colors of Lucky Strike.

As of 2000, Honda upgraded from the team with engines since 1992 and it was the first time that they participated directly back in a team. Honda was also in Jordan engine supplier, wanted in the future but only equip a team, which is why both teams competed for the award. End of 2001, Pollock was replaced by David Richards.

The 2004 season was eleven podium finishes and the runner-up in the constructors' championship behind Ferrari, the most successful of the team's history. End of the season took Nick Fry the post of team manager of Richards.

Since the 2006 season, the team started under the name " Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team " because Honda after the purchase of the shares of BAR now the sole owner of the team was. The driver this season Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button. After the 2006 season, BAR withdrew from Formula 1.

Facts and Figures

Statistics in Formula 1

All drivers of the BAR team in Formula 1

1 Mika Salo was also used by Ferrari in 1999, with the points won there tenth World Cup

Results in Formula 1

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