2006 SPANISH GRAND PRIX
BARCELONA - PREVIEW
Last weekend's European Grand Prix was a race of mixed fortunes
for the Honda Racing F1 Team. Whilst Rubens Barrichello finished
in the points for a second successive weekend, Jenson Button's
retirement due to engine failure, whilst also in a good points
scoring position, was obviously a disappointment.
With only a week before Round 6 of the 2006 FIA Formula One
World Championship, the Honda Racing F1 Team's focus now switches
to this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. The Circuit
de Catalunya is something of a home from home for all of the
teams since it is one of F1's primary testing circuits.
The Honda team has already conducted eight days and over
7600kms of testing there with the RA106 this year, and hopes
that this will be one of the factors which helps the team
to a successful weekend.
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
"The Spanish Grand Prix is slightly unusual because we
use the circuit so often for testing, so I think we will see
that reflected in the performance of all the teams. It's a
track I enjoy - although I do get to see rather a lot of it!
- and I think we should do well there. It was good to get
some more points at the Nürburgring, although we lacked
a little bit of pace. We have to work to improve on this for
the weekend."
JENSON BUTTON
"It was a tough weekend at the Nürburgring so I'm
looking ahead and focusing on Spain now. It's a circuit where
you need to be strong aerodynamically and I think our car
is good in that respect. It's quite a demanding track for
the drivers and the fast corners put a lot of strain on the
neck. However we do get a lot of practice at Barcelona as
we test there so often, so we know the track inside out. The
weather is likely to be nice and hot which always suits us
better and if we can resolve the engine problem from last
weekend, I think we should be able to get a good result. I'm
looking forward to the weekend."
GIL DE FERRAN
Sporting Director
"A home from home is the perfect description of the Spanish
Grand Prix. Like many other teams, we use the track extensively
for testing throughout the year. The RA106 has been competitive
in the various tests there since it was launched back in January,
In addition, we have the latest specification engine for both
drivers. All of which makes us positive going into this weekend,
despite our relative lack of pace in the last race. Barcelona
itself is one of the favourite venues on the F1 calendar amongst
many of our team members."
SHUHEI NAKAMOTO
Management Board Member - Honda Racing F1 Team, Engineering
Director - Honda Racing Development
"Both drivers have a fresh engine this week, with the
newest, more powerful specification. We will have a countermeasure
in place for the problem on Jenson's engine at the Nürburgring,
and will be aiming to get closer to the front-runners."
Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
Race Distance 66 laps
Circuit Length 2.875 miles (4.627 kms)
Built as part of Barcelona's Olympic development programme,
the Circuit de Catalunya is located 20kms north of the Calatan
capital on land purchased by the Real Automóvil Club
de Catalunya. It was the RACC's wish to bring F1 back to Spain's
spiritual home of motorsport on a permanent basis and the
Circuit de Catalunya has hosted every Spanish GP since it
was completed in 1991.
Former Minardi driver Luis Perez Sala advised on the layout
of the track and it follows the principles of many modern
circuits with a long straight and a number of high-speed corners,
making the aerodynamic efficiency of cars particularly important.
The nature of the track is such that it "loads"
the left front corner of a car particularly heavily, causing
understeer problems.
The Circuit de Catalunya hosts many pre-season tests so it
is one of the most familiar venues on the F1 calendar. However,
its high-speed nature makes it a physically tough challenge
for drivers, although by this stage of the season, they will
have reached a good level of race fitness. For the huge amount
of spectators who flock to the circuit on race day, it is
a well laid-out circuit, with easy access and good viewing
positions that give a stadium-style ambience.
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