Hynes looks to build on BAR test.

1999 British Formula 3 champion, Marc Hynes, gave his hopes for the future after getting a taste of last years BAR Reynard Honda in Barcelona recently, as part of the team's Young Driver Development Programme.

Hynes had been training hard during 2000 season in preparation for a return to full-time racing and his efforts were rewarded with the opportunity to take part in a test session with the team, alongside Olivier Panis and Jacques Villeneuve.

"I've waited a year for this moment," said Hynes at the test. "I made contact with BAR at the end of 1999, with the view to having a test run prior to the 2000 season. For various reasons that didn't happen, but I'm very happy to have driven the car this week. I'm still on track with my goal of reaching F1 and this experience is invaluable in working towards that."

"The team was brilliant. It's quite a daunting experience, but I was made to feel very welcome. The operation is so slick and the technology so advanced, it's like entering a different world - and one which I hope to re-visit in the not too distant future," he added.

Hynes prepared for his test by returning to the cockpit for a German Formula 3 test session before flying to the USA for an Indy Lights test with PacWest Racing Group.

"I'm totally focused on getting a full-time drive for 2001 and believe it won't be too long until I'm regularly climbing in and out of an F1 car. If I have to wait another year, that's fine. I'm still young and can gain another year's race experience, perhaps in the USA or Japan, to hone my race skills and prove my abilities," Hynes concluded.

Unfortunately for Hynes, he will have to wait at least another year for a full time BAR contract, with the news that the Northampton based team have opted for Japanese driver ,Takuma Sato, to join existing reserve Darren Manning and rising star Anthony Davidson.