MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX, SEPANG, RACE REPORT
Rubens Barrichello 11 RA106-03
Jenson Button 12 RA106-04
Weather Hot, sunny and humid
Temperatures: Air: 33-34°C Track: 36-39°C
The Honda Racing F1 Team were back on the podium today after
Jenson Button finished the Malaysian Grand Prix in third position.
From second on the grid he was embroiled in a race-long battle
with Renault, holding P2 until Alonso squeezed out ahead of
him after the second round of pitstops. Today's result boosts
Jenson's points tally to 11 after two rounds of the Championship,
which puts him equal second with Michael Schumacher in the
Drivers' standings.
Rubens Barrichello had a disappointing end to a difficult
weekend, finishing 10th after incurring a stop-go penalty
for speeding in the pit lane when he had been looking good
for points.
JENSON BUTTON Position: 3rd
Fastest Lap Time: 1:35.604
"I'm obviously pleased to see us back on the podium but
it was the top step that we had in mind, so we are a little
disappointed. We want to be winning races and today showed
that we are in the fight, but there is still a lot of work
to be done before we can achieve that target. Having said
that, I was held up by traffic a few times, not least of all
by Scott Speed before the second pitstop. Had that not happened,
maybe I could have come out of the pits ahead of Alonso. Regardless
of that though, we have two weeks and a test in Vallelunga
to work through our issues and hopefully we can look forward
to better things in Melbourne in two weeks' time."
RUBENS BARRICHELLO Position: 10th
Fastest Lap Time: 1:36.188
"It's certainly been an eventful weekend and it was disappointing
to end it with a stop-go penalty when I was in with a chance
of at least coming away with a few points. These past two
races have been a bit of a learning curve but I'm sure things
will pick up for the next few races and we can start to realise
more of the car's potential."
GIL DE FERRAN
SPORTING DIRECTOR
"We are happy with our first podium of the year. 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.
Another good note was the reliability of the engine, which
in its second race showed no problems in dealing with the
hot conditions we have encountered in Malaysia. 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. Let's see what Australia brings."
SHUHEI NAKAMOTO
MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBER - HONDA RACING F1 TEAM
ENGINEERING DIRECTOR - HONDA RACING DEVELOPMENT
"Aside from the problem with Rubens yesterday, which
necessitated an engine change, we have been encouraged by
the engine performance in the first two races. 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."
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