Improved qualifying performance for Honda
The Honda Racing F1 Team enjoyed an encouraging qualifying session at Monza this afternoon. Jenson Button qualified 10th and only a small mistake by Rubens Barrichello on his final lap of Q2 prevented the team from having both of its cars in the top 10 for the second time this year.
The RA107 has performed well in low downforce trim all weekend. The drivers set almost identical lap times in this morning’s final practice session (Jenson 11th, Rubens 12th) and they carried that momentum through to qualifying this afternoon.
In Q1 the drivers completed two flying laps each. Rubens’ first lap of 1:23.474s placed him seventh fastest, while Jenson’s best – which was only 0.1s slower – placed him back in 13th.
Both drivers improved their lap times in Q2. Rubens was the first of the Honda Racing F1 Team’s drivers onto the track and he set a time of 1:23.021s, which again placed him comfortably inside the top 10. He then waited in the pits until the dying moments of the session to set what should have been his fastest lap, but he ran wide at the first Lesmo and lost the opportunity.
Jenson, meanwhile, wasn’t as fast as Rubens initially, but his final lap of Q2 was 1:23.021s, which placed him eighth fastest and took him into Q3 for only the second time this season.
He completed 11 laps in Q3, which gave him valuable set-up time ahead of tomorrow’s 53-lap Italian Grand Prix. His best lap of 1:25.165s placed him 10th on the grid and provides him with a good opportunity to challenge for points in tomorrow’s race.
Jenson Button "I’m really pleased to have made it through into the top ten for the first time in quite a while. It took some time to really get to grips with the car this afternoon and it wasn't working well for the first few runs. However, we made improvements over the three sessions and got the best out of the car in the end. We've made changes to the front and rear suspension for this race, along with a different aero package, which is definitely helping us. Aero has been our main problem but we're not losing out too much with the low levels of drag that you need around Monza. The car is also looking after the tyres well which shows that it is mechanically sound. If I can get a good start from 10th tomorrow then we have to be aiming for the points. Strategy will be crucial and I'm confident we have a good race package, but it will also depend on the performance and reliability of the teams in front of us. This is a step forward and although we're unlikely to be scoring good points this season, it has given a boost to everyone here and back at the factory and is a small reward for all the hard work."
Rubens Barrichello "We had the pace to get through to the final qualifying session so it was disappointing to just miss out today. My first flying lap was the one which really counted and I was already two-tenths up at Parabolica, but unfortunately I just got a little too close to Wurz and the car lost downforce which cost me some time. On the second lap, the tyres had gone off a little but I had to push hard nonetheless as we had a good chance of getting through. I ran wide at turn seven and lost the opportunity. When I rejoined the track it was in front of Fisichella, who was on his crucial lap. I’m sorry if I caused him a problem but I had nowhere else to go in that situation other than to get back on track. We have to look at our performance today as an improvement; the car felt good around here, and P12 gives us a chance to fight for a point tomorrow.”
Jacky Eeckelaert, Engineering Director “After focusing on our race preparation yesterday, we concentrated this morning on our qualifying performance. We have been working very hard on the car in recent weeks, including bringing changes to the front and rear suspension and aerodynamics. This has been rewarded here with improved performance and the weekend so far has been very encouraging.”
