By Phil Huff (09/09/2004)
September 14 2004

Zero points. That's what BAR took home form the Belgian Grand Prix, but there's always a silver lining - Renault did no better. The fight for second in the championship is, therefore, very much still on. Lucky Strike BAR Honda certainly aren't giving up, with the team taking all three drivers to Monza to test. Over 2,000 miles were put on the cars in just three days, and only a couple of minor problems arose.

Jenson Button caused more than just a minor problem, though, holding a press conference during the week that left little to the imagination. It seems that Jenson is unhappy at the management of BAR, citing problems with his contract as a significant reason.

You may of heard about these problems - BAR-Talk.com told you of them back on 8 October 2003!

He's also unhappy at the way the whole situation was handled, and we can't help but agree. The mock horror that came from some quarters in Brackley, followed by misleading press releases that actually said nothing, haven't helped anyone. Of course Jenson isn't entirely innocent in all this, but he's doing his best to recover the situation.

A win at Monza would go a long way to winning back peoples affections.

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Fortunately one BAR driver has picked up more fans - Takuma Sato will be attending a ceremony today to pick up the Confartigianato Motori Prize. There's a few categories to choose from, but Taku's taking the award that goes to "the debutant driver who, thanks to his dedication, has stood out in the difficult world of motor races."

Debutant? We're sure Takuma raced for Jordan GP in 2002, but perhaps it's all just a hazy memory that we've made up...

Another hazy memory, Jacques Villeneuve, has been linked with BAR again this week, which follows on from him being linked to McLaren, then Williams, Renault, Ferrari, Williams again, BAR, Sauber, BAR again, NASCAR, Le Mans, and now Sauber again.

It's getting desperate at BAR, though. One driver for two cars just isn't enough, and drivers are almost literally banging down the door to get that spare seat. Villeneuve wants it, as does DC and Anthony Davidson. We hear Ant's going elsewhere for 2005 though, and there may be a handful of other people following him.

As soon as we know something concrete, we'll be sure to share it with you. Unless it's somehow mysteriously leaked to the media again. Now, what was Jenson saying...?

Until next time,

Phil Huff.
BAR-Talk.com