BAR 007
Jenson Button driving the BAR 007 at the 2005 Canadian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorBAR-Honda
Designer(s)Geoff Willis (Technical Director)
Gary Savage (Deputy Technical Director)
Kevin Taylor (Chief Engineer, Composites and Structures)
Willem Toet (Chief Engineer, Aerodynamics and Development)
Mark Ellis (Chief Engineer, Vehicle Performance)
Ian Wright (Chief Engineer, Vehicle Dynamics)
Jörg Zander (Chief Engineer, Transmission and Mechanical)
Simon Lacey (Head of Aerodynamics)
Mariano Alperin (Chief Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorBAR 006
SuccessorHonda RA106
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon Fibre Monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbone with pushrod-activated torsion springs and rockers, Showa dampers
Suspension (rear)Double wishbone with pushrod-activated torsion springs and rockers, Showa dampers
Length4,675 mm (184.1 in)
Width1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Height950 mm (37.4 in)
Axle trackFront : 1,460 mm (57.5 in)
Rear : 1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Wheelbase3,140 mm (123.6 in)
EngineHonda RA005E 3.0 L (183.1 cu in) V10 (90°). Naturally-aspirated, mid-mounted.
TransmissionHonda-Xtrac 7-speed seamless-shift sequential semi-automatic paddle-shift
Power> 965 hp @ 19,000 rpm[1]
Weight600 kg (1,322.8 lb) or more
FuelENEOS
LubricantsENEOS
BrakesCaliper : alcon
Disc : Brembo Carbon Industrie
TyresMichelin
BBS Wheels
Competition history
Notable entrantsLucky Strike BAR Honda
Notable drivers3. United Kingdom Jenson Button
4. Japan Takuma Sato
4. United Kingdom Anthony Davidson
Debut2005 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2005 Chinese Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
170210
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The BAR 007 was a Formula One car used by British American Racing in the 2005 Formula One season. The car was driven by Jenson Button and Takuma Sato, although Sato was replaced by Anthony Davidson for the Malaysian Grand Prix as he had the flu. The team's test driver was Enrique Bernoldi along with Davidson.

Design and history

The 007 was a clear evolution of the BAR 006, which had been highly successful for the team, leading to their second place in the 2004 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 required for the 2005 season.[2]

The engine and gearbox were 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.[2][3] Halfway through the 2005 season, BAR introduced a multi-profile front wing.

At the end of the 2005 season, Honda, the engine partner since 2000, secured 100% team ownership, purchasing it from British American Tobacco, the long term sponsor of the team.[4] The cars would remain with the BAT sponsorship throughout 2006.

The BAR 007 was also the first Formula One car to use a seamless-shift gearbox.[5]

Racing history

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 one race, banned from another two, and also did not start in Indianapolis due to use of Michelin tyres. The team failed to score a point until the French Grand Prix. However, the team's 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.

Controversy

Both BAR-Hondas 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 605 kg.[6] BAR disagreed with the report, claiming the cars could not run with less than 6 kg 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 acted as a summariser for ITV F1 in the Monaco Grand Prix, as he could not compete.[7] BAR were going to contest the disqualification, but later changed their minds. Max Mosley wanted to have the team disqualified from the entire season.[8]

Following the controversy, the team also did not start the United States Grand Prix as the team was asked by tyre supplier Michelin to withdraw from the race due to tyre problems affecting all Michelin-based teams; BAR had not scored a point at this point.

Sponsorship and livery

BAR used 'Lucky Strike' logos in all other competitions except Canadian, United States, French, British, Hungarian, Turkish, Italy, and Belgian and '555' logos in China. In China all team members and drivers used blue-yellow overalls and clothing throughout the weekend.

BAR 007B

During the 2005-2006 off-season, Honda, having purchased BAR, entered a B version of the 007 to test the 2006 Honda RA806E V8 engine. The car was driven by Anthony Davidson.[9][10]

Speed record attempt

On 21 July 2006, Honda used the car to achieve a top speed of 397.481 km/h (246.983 mph) at the Bonneville Salt Flats.[11] Driving the car was test driver and former Formula One medical car driver Alan van der Merwe.

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
United Kingdom Jenson Button 11 Ret Ret DSQ 10 Ret DNS 4 5 3 5 5 8 3 7 5 8
Japan Takuma Sato 14 PO Ret DSQ 12 Ret DNS 11 16 12 8 9 16 Ret 10 DSQ Ret
United Kingdom Anthony Davidson TD Ret TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BAR 007.
  1. ↑ "Formula 1 Engine".
  2. 1 2 "2005 BAR 007 Honda - Images, Specifications and Information".
  3. ↑ "All Formula One Info - Honda RA806E".
  4. ↑ "Honda poised to make BAR F1 move". 17 November 2004 – via bbc.co.uk.
  5. ↑ "F1 rules and stats 2000-2009". f1technical.net. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  6. ↑ "The Times & The Sunday Times".
  7. ↑ "Jenson Button to commentate for ITV at Monaco".
  8. ↑ "Federation Internationale de l'Automobile" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-01.
  9. ↑ "BAR 007B". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  10. ↑ "Unraced Projects Of The 2005 Season". UnracedF1.com. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  11. ↑ Nunez, Alex. "Honda F1 sets land speed records at Bonneville".
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