French GP – Midfield or back of the grid for Honda?

Following a chaotic race in Montreal two weeks ago, which was marked by safety cars and retirements, Honda managed to take advantage of the opportunity to score valuable points with Barrichello.

However, the Japanese team still does not seem to have the level they desire and especially the level they would have liked to have at this point in the season. The French Grand Prix comes at just the right time to take stock.

Jenson Button – Racing Driver

« The French Grand Prix takes place on a track where I feel a real pleasure to drive. The Circuit de Nevers is very good and has fast chicanes, but also presents a certain level of difficulty. The key to a fast lap comes from the car that must perform well, especially for turns one and two. »

« You also need a car with good stability and good cornering to make the most of the high-speed chicanes. In racing, the start is particularly important. You need to position yourself well on the first corner to approach the Adelaide hairpin, which is really the only place on the circuit where you have a real chance of overtaking. »

« I am looking forward to the race, especially after a disappointing weekend in Canada. I have achieved good results at Magny Cours in the past and the race can be very exciting. »

Rubens Barrichello – Racing Driver

We are optimistic about our chances at Magny Cours. The circuit is unusual with respect to the corners, which are either very fast or very slow. Turn 3 is taken at 200 km/h with more than 5 G, while the rest of the corners are taken in first or second gear.

« The last chicane has large curbs and if you have a competitive car, there is a lot of time to gain here. It is also important to have a stable car that allows you to brake and turn at the same time. This is not an easy track for overtaking. »

Ross Brawn – Team Principal:

« We hope that the RA108 will be back on the same pace as our midfield competitors at Magny Cours this weekend. Although Rubens Barrichello scored points in Canada, we are fully aware that we benefited from the safety car and retirements. I expect an overall increase in performance this weekend. »

« We used the three days in Barcelona last week to assess the setup of the RA108 with the aim of increasing our understanding of the car. In Montreal, it was evident that braking and the stability of the car impacted the ride quality. »

In Barcelona, we made progress on issues related to mechanical improvements and car setup. We are also continuing to enhance engine performance.