Honda Looks To Extend Good Showing At Silverstone

Topics:  Honda, British Grand Prix

Anthony Fontanelle
July 7, 2007

After Honda Racing F1 Team’s first point finish at the French Grand Prix, the team is looking to extend their good performance at the upcoming Silverstone race. Prior to the French Grand Prix, Honda’s performance has been disappointing. After seven races, they have not scored a point. At Magny-Cours though, Jenson Button finished eighth to take home a single point.

From that, Honda is aiming to go into the British Grand Prix this Sunday with a bit of momentum on their side. The team’s senior technical director Shuhei Nakamoto pointed out that the point finish at Magny-Cours gave them confidence going into the next race at Silverstone.

“The race in Magny-Cours last weekend marked a more positive step in the season for the Honda Racing F1 Team,” said Nakamoto. “Following much hard work back at the factory and in testing, we achieved our first point of the season. Jenson drove a good race, the pace of the car was very encouraging and our strategy paid off. We can now go to our first home race of the season at Silverstone with more confidence in our ability to challenge for points finishes this weekend and at future races.’

The ninth race of the season will take place at the famed Silverstone Circuit. The circuit first hosted the British Grand Prix in 1948 and has seen some of the most exciting races in the history of the sport.

Honda’s Rubens Barrichello said that he is comfortable racing in Silverstone. The Brazilian Formula One driver won at Silverstone in 2003 when he was still with Scuderia Ferrari.

“It will always be one of my favorite tracks,” said Barrichello. “It's a high-speed circuit with some very challenging corners and one that I still really enjoy driving. I have some very special memories, not least of winning.”

The veteran driver said that Honda will be busy this weekend preparing for the race in the United Kingdom. “It will be a busy weekend for us but an important one, so we will be giving it everything we can right now. We can definitely say that the performance of the car has improved which is encouraging. There is always a lot of expectation on our shoulders competing at Silverstone and although we don't have the car to fight at the front, I think we can have a good race and aim for the points.”

Driving the team’s RA107 with engine provided by Honda, the same manufacturers of Honda Civic headlight bulbs, Barrichello is looking to bounce back after his teammate Button upstaged him at the French Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Jenson Button said that no whether their car is performing well or not, he will do his best. “It's been a difficult season for me but that does not change the way I think about the sport, about where I want to be and what I want to achieve,’ said Button. “If I didn't continue to push hard every race I might as well give up. You have to give everything, whether the car is good or bad.”

Honda is currently ninth in the constructor’s championship standing with a single point to their credit after eight races so far. The team will have to contend with the dominant McLaren and the resurging Ferrari. Last year’s winner of the British Grand Prix, Alonso will be looking to take a win at the race after a disappointing finish in France.

Source:  Amazines.com