27/08/2006
NEWS STORY
Jenson Button ended today's Turkish Grand Prix in fourth position after a strong performance from sixth on the grid, securing a further five points for the Honda Racing F1 Team. His team-mate Rubens Barrichello finished eighth having started from 13th position. He enjoyed a tremendous race with four great overtaking manoeuvres, guaranteeing the team a two-car finish and a solid total haul of six-points.
Today's result again reduces the gap to third position in the Constructors' Championship, with the Honda Racing F1 Team now on 58 points with four rounds still remaining.
Hot on the heels of its own first win just a few weeks ago, the Honda team would also like to congratulate Felipe Massa on his first grand prix victory and wishes him a well-deserved celebration.
Formula One now resumes testing after the summer break, and the Honda Racing F1 Team heads to Monza in Italy next week with an extensive development programme in preparation for Round 15 of the Formula One World Championship.
Jenson Button: "It's been a great race for the team today and it's good to get both cars in the points. We just didn't have the pace of the Ferraris or Alonso in the Renault but we know where we're weaker and where we're losing out to them, so when we get on top of that we're going to be very competitive. The last stint was very strong for us. We had a lot less tyre graining and I was getting quicker and quicker. Not quite as good as my result in the last race but a good weekend nonetheless."
Rubens Barrichello: "I'm really happy that we finished with two cars in the points today. We had a competitive car today so it was a shame that someone pushed me wide on the first corner which lost me a lot of time. Without that incident I could have been up there fighting closer to the front. We had the pace and we certainly had the will today, so I think that the team certainly deserved the result as well. It was really good to hear the Brazilian national anthem at the end of the race for my good friend Felipe Massa and I congratulate him on his first win."
Gil de Ferran - Sporting Director: "What an exciting race! We are very pleased to have both cars in the points, which is a great result at the end of a generally satisfying weekend. Jenson was fortunate to not get caught up in the first turn incident and drove a faultless race from there, pushing very hard all the way. In the end though, we weren't quite quick enough to challenge for the podium today. Rubens was less fortunate in the first turn and lost quite a few places, however he showed excellent speed and determination as he drove back through the field, fighting until the very end. Both engines performed reliably in their second race, even though Rubens used all the revs possible throughout the race. In summary we leave Turkey happy but aware that there is still some improvement needed. Congratulations to Felipe Massa on his well-deserved first win!"
To check out our Turkey GP picture gallery, click here