Trouble-free opening day for Honda at Australia

Unseasonably hot weather greeted the Honda Racing F1 Team at Albert Park, where the opening two practice sessions of 2008 took place today. The ambient temperature peaked at 37 degrees, with the track temperature topping 48 degrees.

The high temperatures gave the RA108 its first hot weather test of the year and it passed with flying colours. Neither Jenson Button nor Rubens Barrichello reported any technical problems.

Jenson completed 25 laps during the opening session, with Rubens adding 17 more laps to the pool of data. Both drivers worked on the set-up of their cars, which feature the new aerodynamic package first tested at Jerez last week, which is easier said than done at Albert Park. The 5.3km circuit is a temporary racetrack, so the grip levels change rapidly as more rubber goes down on the racing line.

In the afternoon session, both drivers improved their lap times. Jenson’s best effort – 1:28.632s – placed him 11th, only 0.5s shy of fifth place, while Rubens was 0.2s further back with a best lap of 1:28.849s.

The drivers and engineers will now analyse the data gathered today, prior to tomorrow’s first qualifying session of the year.

“Today has been a good day for us,” commented Jenson Button. “We focused mainly on tyre work and getting the best out of the car in the very hot conditions. Everything went smoothly and the car feels much as it did at the Jerez test, which is pleasing. We won't know our true relative position compared to the competition until later tomorrow, but at the moment the priority for us is focusing on our own test items and adapting the set-up to the requirements and conditions here.”

“It's very hot and dry today,” said Rubens Barrichello, “with the temperatures increasing this afternoon, so the track has lost some grip over the course of the day. The track was better in the morning session and I was much happier with the car then. It is still too early to tell how we will perform in qualifying tomorrow. We ran a fairly conservative programme today and we are looking better than in testing, but Friday is not a real indicator of performance as everyone is running their own programme with regard to fuel levels. We aim to be in the middle of the pack tomorrow and I believe we are on course for this."