Honda's winter testing preview

The race season may have ended but the Honda Racing F1 Team has some busy weeks ahead as winter testing gets underway. Just two weeks after the thrilling conclusion to the 2008 season at the Brazilian Grand Prix, the Honda Racing F1 Team will kick off its on-track preparations for 2009 with a three-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona next week.

With the test taking place from Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 November, Jenson Button and Alex Wurz will complete the main programme, focusing on the key areas of technical change which will be introduced for the new season. The pair will use a modified RA108 chassis to complete an initial evaluation of 2009 aerodynamic parts and run the Bridgestone slick tyres which replace the current grooved tyres.

Alex will be at the wheel on Monday with Jenson taking over for the final two days of the test on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Joining the Honda team in Barcelona will be young Brazilians Lucas Di Grassi and Bruno Senna as the team takes the opportunity to evaluate the two 2008 GP2 Series title contenders.

Both drivers will complete a half-day familiarisation programme in the Honda RA108 on Monday with Lucas in action in the morning and Bruno in the afternoon session for what will be his first drive in a Formula One car. Lucas will then spend a full day in the car on Tuesday before Bruno has his opportunity on Wednesday.

Following the track action in Barcelona next week, the team will have two more three-day tests this year which will take place at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain (9-11 December) and the brand new Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal (15-17 December).