JANUARY 10, 2001

BAR the first team to run 2001 car

BRITISH AMERICAN RACING became the first Formula One team to run their 2001 car at the Silverstone circuit on Wednesday.

BRITISH AMERICAN RACING became the first Formula One team to run their 2001 car at the Silverstone circuit on Wednesday.

Frenchman Olivier Panis, who joined BAR from McLaren last year, rolled out of the pit garage just ahead of Jaguar Racing's new R2 car at a cold Silverstone circuit.

Panis' BAR-Honda 03 car was uncolored as the Brackley-based team are not scheduled to unveil their new livery until January 26 in Barcelona and the driver reported no problems with the Honda power-unit as he completed 37 laps.

"The engine is very strong," said Panis, who recorded the quickest time of the day at Silverstone.

Jaguar were represented at Silverstone by their new Brazilian driver Luciano Burti, who completed one installation lap in the Jaguar-R2, with 2001-spec wing, before returning to the garage and finishing for the day.

Burti's team-mate Briton Eddie Irvine completed 26 laps for the team in a Jaguar-R1B chassis that was fitted with the R2's engine, gearbox and suspension.

The Arrows team also tested at Silverstone with their Dutch driver Jos Verstappen putting the team's new AMT engine and new exhaust system through its paces.

Times from Silverstone:

POSDRIVERENTRANTTIME
Olivier PanisBAR1:28.3
Eddie IrvineJaguar1:29.3
Jos VerstappenArrows1:33.5