24/04/2005
NEWS STORY
Lucky Strike BAR Honda were back on the podium this afternoon after Jenson Button delivered the team's first top three finish of the 2005 season. He ended the San Marino Grand Prix in 3rd place, despite holding 2nd for much of the thrilling 62-lap race. An equally outstanding performance from team-mate Takuma Sato ensured the team achieved its objective of a strong two-car points finish. He ended the race in 5th position from 6th on the grid.
Today's result finally opens the team's points accounts in both the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships and is a fitting tribute to a colossal effort by everyone at BAR Honda and tyre partner Michelin over the past few weeks.
Jenson Button: "It's fantastic to be back on the podium again after such a great weekend for the team. It looks like we are very much back in the game. The past three races have been tough for all of us at BAR Honda and it's fantastic to have put that behind us here today. Everyone has worked incredibly hard - night and day in fact - to turn things around and I have to say a huge 'thank you' to everyone for their efforts. It was an incredible race and a great feeling to be as strong as we were in the early stages. We lost out towards the end when I got a bad run up the hill from Aqua Minerale and Michael was able to get beside me going into the Variante Alta. Fighting him in that position could have put me out of the race, so I decided to play safe and ensure we got home and dry with a podium and our first points to show for it. As we saw here today there is so much more potential though and we can be stronger still if we maintain the momentum and keep fighting for that win."
Takuma Sato: "The team has done a fantastic job, both during the tests working on the new developments and over this race weekend. The car performed very well and I enjoyed the racing here today. We are back on form with a great result and the double-points finish we wanted. At the beginning of the race I was stuck in traffic, but I enjoyed racing side-by-side and making up on my position. The season has really started for us now here at Imola and so I am really looking forward to carrying our strong performance to our next race in Barcelona."
Gil de Ferran, Sporting Director: "I am delighted with the results of this weekend. Personally, it has been a fairytale since this is my first race with BAR Honda. In a way I am not surprised with Jenson and Taku's performance; over the last few weeks that I've been with the team I was able to witness first-hand the incredible and relentless effort of the whole organisation towards turning our fortunes around - something everyone achieved with full marks. Certainly our success in Imola gives us confidence not only for a good showing in Barcelona, but also in our ability to continue to improve as the season goes on. Many congratulations should also be given to both drivers for doing such a fantastic job all race long. I can't wait to get to Barcelona!"
Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer: "An excellent team performance which rewards a huge amount of work by BAR Honda and Michelin since the last race. We ran all weekend with good speed and reliability, and both drivers put in excellent performances. I am confident that the team has both the skills and resources to perform at an even higher level in the next few races. This is just the springboard we needed."
Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director, Honda Racing Development: "We have obviously had a very good day today. Both cars finished without any problems and we have been able to fully exploit the speed of the car. This is the start of our challenge this year - we have a lot more work to do to achieve our target of race wins."