De Ferran targets further success in Australia

Honda Racing F1 Team may have scored its first podium finish of the season in Malaysia but Gil de Ferran is now looking for even greater success in Melbourne. Yesterday, Jenson Button finished third in the Malaysian Grand Prix.

"We are happy with our first podium of the year,” reported the team’s Sporting Director, Gil de Ferran. “Jenson fought hard all afternoon but in the end we lacked a little pace and he lost some time in traffic during crucial periods of the race, especially around the second stop. Rubens was on course to be fighting for points, but unfortunately got a 10 second stop-go penalty for a pit lane speed violation.

“We are certainly encouraged by our performance so far this season, but at the same time are determined to make further improvements and bring us closer to the fight."

Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director at Honda Racing Development added: "We have two weeks to improve for the next race in Australia and will be working hard in testing and with the data we have gathered here to do our best for Melbourne."

Testing will take place at the Vallelunga circuit, Italy, for three days from tomorrow (Tuesday), with third driver Anthony Davidson and the Young Driver Programme's James Rossiter in scheduled driving duties.