Button has absolute confidence in the RA108

Jenson Button defended the 2008 Honda and claimed that his team had made satisfactory progress despite times in recent tests showing that the Japanese team is still far behind the leading pair.

« We dedicated many hours of work to ensure that the car was reliable and performed well, » he said at a press conference in Tokyo.

I must say that I am happy with the way it is going. We are making improvements in every trial in many areas. It’s a car we can really rely on.

Honda had a dismal 2007 season with reliability issues that made life very difficult for Button and his Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello.

The team finished eighth in the constructors’ standings with only six points, all scored by Button, but has since recruited former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn as team principal.

Honda was one of the slowest teams during the tests in Jerez in the south of Spain last week.

However, he is convinced that his team will make significant progress before the start of the season but also throughout the year.

“I’m optimistic that throughout the season we will improve many things,” he said.

« Similarly, before the first round of the championship in Melbourne, from an aerodynamic point of view, we are going to make a step forward. »

« The difference with last year’s car is that the RA108 is reliable. You understand this car, which allows you to work on the elements to improve. Whereas last year we didn’t even understand the car. »

« And to make changes to a single-seater that you don’t understand is very difficult. That’s why this year, I’m very happy to drive this car even if we’re still lacking a bit of speed, the driving is much better, » concluded the Briton.