2006 SPANISH GRAND PRIX
BARCELONA - RACE
The Honda Racing F1 Team secured a two car points finish
in today's Spanish Grand Prix after Jenson Button and Rubens
Barrichello finished the race in 6th and 7th positions.
After making up a place off the grid, Jenson posed a strong
challenge to Raikkonen, edging closer and closer through the
66-lap race. Rubens lost a place off the start and unfortunately
lost time in the first and final stints of the race. The team's
combined result today sees them take another step closer to
McLaren in the Constructors standings but the Monaco Grand
Prix in two weeks time is the main focus now and the team
will be testing a number of new ideas in Vallelunga next week
in preparation.
JENSON BUTTON
"The car worked well and it was pretty much a faultless
race, although I was behind Rubens in the first stint and
Raikkonen was able to pull away. As soon as I had clear air
the car worked very well and the balance was good - probably
the best it has been since Malaysia. I was quite happy, reeling
in Raikkonen every lap by a tenth or two tenths but it would
have been a closer fight had I not been hampered by problems
that stemmed from yesterday's qualifying. I'm looking forward
to Monaco and testing at Vallelunga next week in preparation
for that race."
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
"It was a tough race but two cars in the points is not
a bad result considering the strength of the competition.
I lost a place off the start and then lost a bit of time because
of some fuel pressure problems on my in-lap. After that, things
ran pretty much according to plan, apart from a vibration
in the last stint which again lost me some time. Now we have
to focus on improving for Monaco because it's a track where
we can be strong."
GIL DE FERRAN
Sporting Director
"We scored some more points, this time with both cars,
which is very positive. While we are not as fast as we would
like to be, we had a good battle with Raikkonen right through
to the end and made the most of what we had. The day went
relatively smoothly without any major dramas and both drivers
pushed extremely hard. As well as the next race in Monaco
potentially suiting our cars better, we go to Vallelunga next
week to evaluate some improvements. Our focus is on closing
the gap."
SHUHEI NAKAMOTO
Management Board Member - Honda Racing F1 Team, Engineering
Director - Honda Racing Development
"Both drivers gave it everything they had today and the
result is an accurate reflection of our level at the moment.
Every member of the team knows we need to keep pushing hard
to close the gap to the front runners."
RACE STATS
Drivers Car No. Chassis Race Result
Rubens Barrichello 11 RA106-01 P7 Fastest lap 01:17.399
Jenson Button 12 RA106-04 P6 Fastest lap 01:17.367
T-Car - RA106-03
Weather Hot and sunny
Temperatures Air: 25-28°C Track: 31-42°C
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