Fry Backs New Team To Succeed

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FRY BACKS NEW TEAM TO SUCCEED

ITV

BAR team principal Nick Fry believes F1's mystery new team, which is set to receive engines and technical support from Honda in 2006, has a "better than even" chance of being on the grid next year.

Although Fry was at lengths to describe the new team as independent, it is thought likely to operate as a Honda 'junior' team, possibly using the design rights of this year's BAR 007 for the basis of a chassis design.

What remains unknown however is who exactly will run the project, but they are thought not to be British and have extensive motorsport experience outside of F1.

"These are credible people," Fry said in Japan.

"They have motor racing experience, they are well funded and they've convinced Honda and ourselves and also Bernie Ecclestone that they can do the job."

Fry admitted it would be difficult for a team to put together a fully-functioning F1 programme by next February, but wouldn't divulge details of how the team plans to get up and running.

"It is a tall order to put this sort of thing together in six months," he said.

"Discussions with us have been going on for a few months now and I'm sure the potential new team will have done their homework."

"There are ways of meeting those regulations while giving a good level of technical support. The agreement is to supply engine and technical support, and the definition of technical support is open ended and what we have to do is obey the F1 rules.

"A chassis has to have certain criteria, so it will be down to them to convince the FIA that is what they have done."