BAR 006 Honda

   The break between the end of the 2003 season and the start of the 2004 season did not allow for any rest for the Lucky-Strike BAR Honda team, the British outfit based in Brackley, Northamptonshire, in England’s East Midlands. As soon as the 2003 championship ended, a hybrid version of the 2003 car, called the “05 Concept Car,” was immediately brought to the track. It was already fitted with Honda’s new V10 engine (RA004E), as the Japanese manufacturer continued its partnership with the British team. New aerodynamic solutions were also introduced, which would later be applied to the 2004 car, the new BAR 006.

BAR 006, Jenson Button
Monza, Italian GP 2004

   Team Principal David Richards of the UK continued strengthening the technical staff, confirming the capable engineers already present in 2003 and adding important new figures. Technical Director Geoff Willis, also British, remained in charge, but from this season he was joined by his deputy, Gary Savage. As the importance of each car component grew, the role of Chief Designer disappeared, and each department had its own dedicated engineer. Among the new arrivals were Kevin Taylor as Chief Engineer Composites and Structures, while Mark Ellis was promoted to Chief Engineer Vehicle Performance. Ellis would later go on to win four titles with Red Bull (2010–2013) and five with Mercedes (2014–2018) before leaving Formula 1. Ian Wright took the role of Chief Engineer Vehicle Dynamics, while Italian engineer Mariano Alperin, who had previously worked at Minardi in the mid-1990s, was entrusted with the delicate aerodynamic department as Chief Aerodynamicist. Willem Toet was confirmed as Chief Engineer Aerodynamics and Development, Jörg Zander took on the new role of Chief Engineer Transmission and Mechanical, and Simon Lacey remained Head of Aerodynamics.

BAR 006, Takuma Satō
Melbourne, Australian GP 2004

   From the 2004 season, BAR switched tire suppliers, moving from Bridgestone to Michelin, a choice strongly supported by Willis. During the winter, BAR was the only team able to carry out comparative testing with both tire manufacturers, quickly realizing that the Michelin tires suited the new chassis and suspension of the 006 better. The new chassis was stiffer and had a lower center of gravity than its predecessor. A completely new gearbox was also introduced, still based on a seven-speed X-trac but featuring a main casing entirely made of carbon composite, along with lighter, close-ratio transmission gears, which significantly reduced rear-end weight. Additional weight-saving measures were applied, including a greater use of MMC (metal matrix composite) for suspension and mechanical components, as well as a more refined and better-integrated hydraulic system for the new chassis. Before the season began, Honda also introduced a new version of its powerful V10, the RA005E, capable of producing up to 950 hp at 19,000 rpm, thus matching Ferrari and Mercedes in performance.

BAR 006, Takuma Satō
Indianapolis, United States GP 2004

   The new BAR-Honda was unveiled to the public on February 1st at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain, where it became clear from the first preseason test laps that the 006 was a well-born car. The two main drivers from the previous season were confirmed: Jenson Button from the UK and Takuma Satō from Japan, although Satō had only replaced Villeneuve at the very last race of 2003. British driver Anthony Davidson continued as the team’s third driver. In fact, Davidson was allowed to take part in many test sessions during race weekends, driving the 006 with special liveries designed for the main sponsor Lucky Strike’s marketing experiments. In Spain, his car featured a black-and-white livery; in Italy, it displayed an X-ray effect showing the driver’s body; in Brazil, it had a graffiti-style paint scheme with Davidson’s face and the words “Brazil 04” on the sides; and in China, it sported the yellow/blue “555” livery.

BAR 006, Anthony Davidson
Monza, Italian GP 2004

   From the start of the season, the new 006 proved very quick, able to compete on equal terms with the best cars on the grid. However, during the year, the top teams requested that the FIA investigate a suspected case of “flexible wings,” with the rear wing flaps allegedly bending at high speeds, reducing downforce and therefore allowing higher top speeds. The investigation found no irregularities, but the federation requested the addition of reinforcements on the flaps to prevent possible flexing. Satō’s lightning starts, which often allowed him to overtake several cars ahead of him, also raised suspicions of an illegal launch system. However, nothing irregular was found, and his performances were attributed solely to his quick reaction times. The season began strongly for the Brackley-based team, with Jenson Button scoring six podiums in the first eight races, including his very first podium in Malaysia and his first pole position at Imola. More podiums followed, with Satō becoming the first Japanese driver to stand on a Formula 1 podium since 1990, while Button secured another four podium finishes in the later stages of the season. Overall, the BAR 006 achieved 11 podiums and one pole position, earning second place in the Constructors’ Championship with 119 points, behind the untouchable Ferrari F2004. Button finished third in the Drivers’ Championship, while Satō placed eighth, achieving the best result ever for a Japanese driver. The remarkable 2004 season would remain the best of the seven contested by British American Racing before the team was fully acquired by Honda at the end of 2005.