It was driven by the 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, and Brazilian Ricardo Zonta, both drivers in their second year with the team.

[7] Fourth place would be the cars best finish of the season, Villeneuve achieving this across a further three Grand Prix in France, Austria and the United States of America.

[11] In 2012, chassis 020-05, which scored points in the hands of Zonta at the Italian Grand Prix, was offered for sale at auction in Monaco.

[12][13] This was the first time the BAR had been seen in Lucky Strike livery, stepping away from the split of the 555 branding season prior.

BAR used the Lucky Strike logos, except at the British, French and United States Grands Prix due to a ban on tobacco advertising in those countries.