09/09/2007
NEWS STORY
The Honda Racing F1 Team were back in the points today after Jenson Button finished the Italian Grand Prix in eighth position. Rubens Barrichello made it a two-car top 10 finish for the team, bringing his RA107 home in 10th place.
Both drivers made good starts from 10th and 12th on the grid, Jenson emerging from turn one in eighth place. Rubens also gained a position at the start and he was running in 11th place when the Safety Car came out at the end of lap two.
A fascinating and intense battle ensued between Jenson and Nico Rosberg, with the two of them trading places for the next 20 laps. By lap 30 the Honda Racing F1 Team drivers were running eighth and 10th. They continued to gain positions as the field ahead pitted and when Jenson made his one and only pitstop on lap 33, he was in fifth place. Rubens stopped one lap later from seventh place and rejoined the race 12th. The two-stoppers ahead of them then made their second pitstops and when the race had settled down again, Jenson was in eighth place and Rubens 10th, which is where they finished.
Today's result was the culmination of an encouraging weekend of improvement in Monza and a reward for the team's hard work and determination over the past few weeks.
Jenson Button: It was nice to get a point today but it was a frustrating race for me as I had so much understeer on the first stint. We run such low front wing around this circuit that it is very easy to lock the front tyres, particularly at Parabolica, and I flat-spotted the front right which meant I was losing grip through every right-hand corner. This meant that I couldn't fend off Rosberg and the long first stint of 33 laps compromised me even further. So it was frustrating as we could have had a better result but we did our very best this weekend and a point is definitely some reward. The team have done a great job and everyone is in good spirits, so I'm pleased to have got another point for them. They really deserve it.
Rubens Barrichello: It was a good race today but unfortunately all of the cars in the midfield also had a competitive race and there were five cars racing within about ten seconds. We had a good pace and I put in some really good laps on the prime tyres but unfortunately my challenge for a better position was over when Webber was just able to get out ahead at the second pit stop. However we have been better all weekend which is down to some really hard work from the team and I look forward to having more competitive races for the remainder of the season.
Jacky Eeckelaert, Engineering Director: It is a good feeling for the whole team to be racing in the top ten again. Both drivers were fast and consistent, Jenson racing with Kovalainen and Rosberg, while Rubens was fighting with Webber and Trulli. The latest aerodynamic and suspension developments that we have brought here this weekend have clearly improved the car performance and we need to carry that momentum through to Spa next weekend and the races beyond.
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