SUZUKA, Japan (AFP) - BAR will celebrate their 100th Grand Prix start in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix with drivers Jenson Button and Takuma Sato chasing an elusive victory at Suzuka.
Ferrari's world champion Michael Schumacher has thwarted Button for much of the season in winning 12 of the first 14 races on his way to a seventh drivers' title.
Schumacher's team-mate Rubens Barrichello was the man in Button's way in the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix two weeks ago on his way to his second successive victory after also winning in Italy.
Button has come home as runner-up four times this season with a further five third-placed finishes, while Sato has claimed one podium result to help take Honda-powered BAR beyond the 100 points barrier for the season.
And, while the pair know they face overcoming the Ferrari steamroller again at Suzuka, they are optimistic of challenging for a BAR victory.
"We know we can be fast at Suzuka having finished fourth and sixth last year, so I am expecting a lot from the race," said Button, who is still waiting to discover if his move to Williams next season will go through.
"It's also going to be very special being Honda's home grand prix at Honda's own circuit. We have had some fantastic results this season and hopefully they will continue in Suzuka."
BAR team principal David Richards added: "The team is proud to be celebrating its 100th Grand Prix in Japan. We will be pulling out all the stops to deliver another solid performance.
"It is incredible to think that last year we had just 18 points heading into this race and now we have broken the 100-point barrier as we celebrate this important milestone in BAR's short history."
Japanese driver Sato has scored points in both of his previous appearances in his home Grand Prix and he enters this year's race buoyed by the news that he will remain with BAR next season.
Sato said: "The fans at Suzuka always support me very well. I am very much looking forward to returning to Japan and to hopefully getting back on to the podium once again."
Schumacher himself is desperate to return to the podium after a nightmare weekend in China resulted in the world champion finishing in an unusual 12th place.
The German has now gone three races without victory since wrapping up the world title in Hungary in mid-August and wants a 13th win of the year at Suzuka.
"We've got a fantastic car, so we obviously want to win in Suzuka. There's no question about that," said Schumacher, who wrapped up his sixth title at the Japanese circuit last year.
"Never mind that things didn't go too well in Shanghai (for me), I have good memories of the Suzuka circuit and I'm really looking forward to this race."
Schumacher's brother Ralf will attempt to ease relations with his Williams team after refusing to return to the track in China after mechanics fixed problems with his car.
Schumacher will join Toyota next season and his new team-mate Jarno Trulli will begin his life with the team early when he makes his debut at Suzuka.
Trulli was allowed to join Toyota for the final two races of the season after being sacked by Renault and he will replace Ricardo Zonta this weekend.
"It will be a big challenge for me to join Toyota for the final two races of this season, but I am more motivated than ever before," said Trulli, who won the Monaco Grand Prix this year.
"We will certainly gain a useful time advantage in preparation for next year, as we can iron out any potential problems before we really get down to concentrating on the 2005 season."
Toyota's veteran Frenchman Olivier Panis will bring his Formula One career to an end in Japan, with Zonta returning for the final race of the season in his homeland in Brazil.
Panis admits the Japanese Grand Prix will be an emotional occasion for him and he is looking to go out on a high.
"It will be quite emotional for me because it will be my final Formula One race," he said. "All I am hoping for this weekend is to finish my racing career with some points."