Never before has an F1 team endured such a painful baptism than BAR last season - they simply weren't at the races.

Despite the much-hyped launch of the Supertec powered BAR 01 and the presence of a former world champion in the shape of Jacques Villeneuve, the team failed to register a single point in their debut year.

This wouldn't have been a disgrace if BAR were your average debutante - experience counts big in F1 - but the team had the corporate might of British American Tobacco and Reynard behind it.

How bad did it get? Villeneuve didn't finish a race until Belgium and that was in August.

Reliability problems were the heart of the issue as the team failed to find any consistency. And, with the car struggling to finish, it was hardly the time to worry about speed.

This season should get better with engine-builders Honda coming on board. But it will have to be if they are to keep their star performer Jacques Villeneuve.