Points for Honda at Imola
The San Marino Grand Prix ended in disappointment for the Honda Racing F1 Team, with Jenson Button finishing seventh and Rubens Barrichello 10th. Both drivers expected more from the 62-lap race after starting from second (Jenson) and third (Rubens) positions. But events on the track and in the pitlane conspired against them.
At the start, Jenson converted his front row grid position and tucked in behind Michael Schumacher into Turn 1. Rubens, on the other hand, didn't get off the line so well and dropped two places into the first corner.
The Safety Car then came out at the end of the opening lap, following an accident at the back of the field. When the race re-started on lap three, both Honda Racing F1 drivers got away well, providing proof that the team has solved its tyre temperature problems from Australia. The drivers then stayed in third and fifth places until their first pitstops on laps 14 (Rubens) and 15 (Jenson).
Both stops took longer than the team had hoped. Rubens was stationary for more than 15 seconds and Jenson for more than nine seconds, after a problem attaching his right rear tyre. But things were to get worse for Jenson at his second pitstop on lap 30.
Jenson left his pit box while the fuel nozzle was still attached to his RA106 after the lollipop was lifted early. This compromised his race and he dropped from third to eighth.
Rubens made his second and final stop on lap 34, while Jenson made a third stop on lap 44, rejoining the track ninth. By the flag, Jenson had battled his way back to seventh, 1.8s behind Mark Webber. Rubens was 10th, half a minute behind Ralf Schumacher.
The Honda Racing F1 Team now heads to Silverstone for a three-day test session ahead of the next race, the European Grand Prix, on 7 May.
Jenson Button "There is no doubt that we missed out on the chance of a podium today as the car was quick and we had a good strategy. I had a problem at the first pitstop with the right rear wheel going on and then in the second pitstop the lollipop was raised before the fuel hose was disconnected. Unfortunately when that happens, it takes all of the pit crew with it. The Chief Mechanic has lifted the lollipop perfectly hundreds of times before and I know he'll make sure this never happens again. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt and I know the boys will be back giving it their all at the next race. Today has been disappointing but we had the pace and we have certainly moved forward a lot since Australia. We've said this many times before but we just have to stay focused and keep pushing."
Rubens Barrichello "It was disappointing for us today at the end of what has been a strong weekend. I had a bad start and then lost a lot of time at my first pit stop. The nozzle failed and the team had to switch me to the other one. The pace of the car was okay, particularly on the first run, but it was a bit more difficult in the middle section. The lack of pace was due to the rear tyres locking; even though the brakes have got a lot better, the rears were locking on new tyres. However, the balance of the car is better so we are getting stronger, we just need to work hard at the areas which are catching us out. If it wasn't for the problems with fuelling today, I could have finished in the top six. The team is working well and we're much happier with the tyre-warming issues, so we should make a fresh start in Nürburgring in two weeks."
