BAR HONDA BRAVES THE COLD AT SILVERSTONE

Venue: Silverstone National Circuit, Northamptonshire, UK, Weather: 0-5º C

Following the official launch of the new car on Monday in central London, the Lucky Strike Reynard BAR Honda team overcame the elements today at Silverstone to complete 67 laps of the National circuit.

Yesterday's planned test was abandoned in sub-zero conditions with ice the length of the pit straight. Today's temperature never rose above five degrees, but that was sufficient to allow the team's official test driver, Darren Manning, to gain his first impressions of the new BAR Honda 002 as he shook down the second chassis.

"It was great to get behind the wheel at last," confirmed the British racer who claimed the Japanese Formula 3 championship last season. "It was difficult to get a good idea of the car because of the cold weather and the track was also very dirty, but I enjoyed it and felt comfortable straight away. I am glad that we managed to complete so many laps, because it was too cold to be out of the car!"

The BAR Honda testing programme moves to Kyalami, South Africa, from February 8-10 and 12-14 where the temperature should be more in keeping with the conditions likely to be experienced at the first race of the Formula One season in Australia on March 12.