Friday March 3rd, 2000

Craig Pollock said today he was happy with the new Honda V10 engine his British American Racing team will be using this season.

"I am very happy indeed. We have the right elements - the right engine manufacturer, the right chassis and the right line-up of drivers," Pollock told a news conference held at Honda's headquarters to mark its return to the Grand Prix scene.

BAR hopes to turn around last year's dismal showing with the help of the Japanese automaker, a six-time constructors champion before it pulled out of Formula One racing after the 1992 season. BAR failed to score a point last year.

"I would give the engine a mark of 80 on a scale of a 100...the car is much better than last year's," added Takefumi Hosaka, Honda's F1 project leader.

BAR's drivers - Canadian Jacques Villeneuve and Ricardo Zonta of Brazil - gave the car high marks but remained cautious.

"McLaren is definitely ahead of everyone else," Villeneuve said, adding it would be a close race for the rest of the field.

"Please, everyone cross their fingers and then we may get some points," Zonta said.

The F1 season kicks off on March 12 with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.