British American Racing boss Craig Pollock has called for his team to raise its standards as it searches for its first race finish of the season.
Morale is said to be falling within the Brackley ranks, as the four races to date have yet to produce a finish of any kind for the team, and reliability problems are only causing further disillusionment. Pollock last week addressed the factory staff in an attempt to raise both spirits and standards.
"The car is performing," he later told Autosport magazine, "but we are not getting the reliability that we want. That is something that the technical department has got to sort out, and everyone has to make sure they are giving 100 per cent."
In a week where team manager Greg Field has quit the team - to be replaced by test team manager Robert Synge - BAR has been cheered by the news that regular driver Ricardo Zonta could be back in harness in time for the Canadian Grand Prix next month.
The Brazilian has missed the last two races because of a foot injury sustained in his home grand prix, but expects to return in Montreal. Zonta's stand-in Mika Salo has performed creditably on his two appearances, and will be retained for Barcelona this weekend. Rumours have suggested that the Finn may hold onto the seat for longer, but these have been denied by the team boss.
"[Ricardo] could not hop on his injured foot," explained Pollock of his young charge, "and, if he had an accident and injured the other foot, would not have been able to get out of the car. But he will be back, and I would be very surprised if he did not return for Montreal."
