European GP – 7th Place as Objective for Honda

The Honda Racing team is preparing properly for this European Grand Prix, which takes place for the first time in Valencia, Spain. The two drivers, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, are conducting tests even before the weekend begins as the team has a simulator in the United Kingdom.

In the championship, the Japanese team is currently 8th but just 2 points away from the 7th place held by Williams. On this track that no one knows, Honda will be eager to succeed to increase their points tally.

Jenson Button – Racing Driver

« It’s a circuit that we don’t know and there are a number of obstacles on it. I think the entire Formula 1 grid is very eager to go to Valencia. It’s a beautiful city and it will be a great street race. Like most teams, we have a simulator at our base in the UK and we spend a lot of time there. It plays a vital role in our learning of the circuit. With a simulator, you don’t get the complete feeling of the car, but you get a fairly accurate understanding of the braking distances. »

« On the calendar, we have some fast circuits like Monza, Spa, or Silverstone, and slow tracks like Monaco or Hungary. The Valencia track falls between these two categories. It’s also important to consider the side walls which demand our full concentration. »

Rubens Barrichello – Racing Driver

« Learning a new circuit is always something exciting, especially on the new urban circuit of Valencia. Our roadmap with the engineers is to best prepare our discovery of the track, on one hand today virtually and on the other hand in practice with tomorrow’s tests. »

We are preparing as best as we can and I am looking forward to this weekend and the possibility of scoring some points. The weather will be hot, making the physical challenge even greater for the drivers, the cars, and the teams. I am amazed by the city itself. We hope this race will bring in new fans.

Ross Brawn – Team Principal:

« There have already been a few races on this track, notably with F3. We have collected as much information as possible from these races to see what we can learn before the weekend. This European Grand Prix is characterized by low grip levels with two fast corners, making it a very challenging circuit in an exciting environment. »

The America’s Cup is organized in Valencia, so care must be taken with the wind, which will impact the balance of the single-seater. This weekend will be a real challenge for the team’s engineers.