 | |
| Full name | British American Racing (1999) Lucky Strike BAR Honda (2000–2005) |
|---|---|
| Base | Brackley, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom |
| Founder(s) | Craig Pollock |
| Noted staff | Adrian Reynard David Richards Nick Fry Geoff Willis Ron Meadows Jörg Zander Willem Toet Andrew Shovlin Jock Clear |
| Noted drivers | |
| Previous name | Tyrrell Racing |
| Next name | Honda Racing F1 Team |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| First entry | 1999 Australian Grand Prix |
| Races entered | 118 (117 starts) |
| Engines | Supertec, Honda |
| Constructors' Championships | 0 (best finish: 2nd, 2004) |
| Drivers' Championships | 0 (best finish: 3rd, 2004, Jenson Button) |
| Race victories | 0 (best finish: 2nd, 2004 San Marino, Monaco, German and Chinese Grands Prix) |
| Podiums | 15 |
| Points | 227 |
| Pole positions | 2 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Final entry | 2005 Chinese Grand Prix |
British American Racing (BAR) was a Formula One constructor that competed in the sport from 1999 to 2005. BAR began by acquiring Tyrrell, and used Supertec engines for their first year. Subsequently, they formed a partnership with Honda which lasted for the next six years.
The team was named after British American Tobacco plc (BAT), which owned and sponsored it in order to display its Lucky Strike and 555 brands. The headquarters were in Brackley, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom.
In mid-November 2004, Japanese automobile manufacturer Honda purchased 45% of the team, and in September 2005, purchased the remaining 55% share to become the sole owner. Consequently, BAR Honda became Honda Racing F1 Team for the 2006 Formula One season. BAT continued as title sponsor with the Lucky Strike brand, but due to new tobacco advertising regulations worldwide, pulled its sponsorship from Formula One entirely at the end of the 2006 season.
Honda ran the team for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons. During 2008, the Honda RA109 was being developed for the following year while Honda attempted to sell the team. A management buy-out by team principal Ross Brawn and an engine supply deal with Mercedes-Benz resulted in a remarkable 2009 season in which Brawn GP team won the Constructors' Championship with Jenson Button winning the Drivers' Championship. Mercedes bought the team in November 2009 and as of December 2023[update], the team competes as Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.