Australian GP – Q2 Objective for Honda!

Can Honda do worse than in 2007? With only 6 points last season, all scored by Button, the Japanese team has a point to prove. It hopes that the arrival of Ross Brawn as team principal will help restore the team’s image.

The experience of the two drivers (Button and Barrichello) should also be an advantage. But it’s nothing compared to the level of performance that the RA108 will need to achieve to hope for a successful season.

In any case, Honda will have done its utmost until the end, since last week, the team was still testing its new car, alone at Jerez in Spain while others were already heading to Melbourne.

Jenson Button – racing driver

« It is a pleasant car to drive, which gives us a good foundation to build upon. It still lacks a bit of speed, but we have made improvements throughout the tests in many areas. I am confident that this level of development will continue all year. »

« Like all the drivers, I have been very busy with testing the new car and there’s nothing better to do. But I have also worked on my physical condition off the track and today, I am in great shape. I have a new physiotherapist, Mike Collier, and we have done some sort of training camps together in Lanzarote. »

Rubens Barrichello – racing driver

« I think that this season, the midfield will have a fierce battle. It is impossible to say where we will finish in Melbourne because the lap times are very close. »

Regarding the ban on traction control, I feel like a boy with a new toy! Having driven without traction control for several seasons in the 90s, it didn’t take me long to adapt. There will be new challenges, especially when the race is wet, but challenges that I am eager to experience again.

Ross Brawn – team principal

I’m excited for the start of the season! We have a talented team with individuals all more professional than the others. The team spirit is strong enough to allow us to succeed in Formula 1, and I truly believe we will. For now, we need to move forward step by step, and our first goal is to improve the RA108 with each race.

« We have made progress on the RA108 from its launch up to the end of testing last week in Jerez, for us. Almost all of the aerodynamics and mechanical parts were just used for the first time in Jerez. We have observed some positive changes in the car’s performance. »