2007 BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX
INTERLAGOS - RACE
The Formula One season finale ended in disappointment for
the Honda Racing F1 Team in Brazil today. Jenson Button and
Rubens Barrichello drove determined races before they were
both forced to retire with engine failure.
The 71-lap Brazilian Grand Prix took place in scorching temperatures
at the Interlagos circuit. The air temperature of 37°C
created tough conditions for the drivers, whilst the track
temperature reached a 61°C high, making tyre durability
an issue.
Rubens and Jenson lined up in 11th and 16th positions on
the grid and made good starts, however Rubens was handed a
drive-through penalty for jumping the start. He took the penalty
on lap eight whilst lying in 10th place, and rejoined in 17th
position. He did well to battle back to 11th place on his
home circuit but he was forced to retire on lap 41.
Jenson made up two places at the start and was running in
10th place when his engine lost power on lap 22 and he was
forced to pull over.
The team will now take a brief break from the track before
the challenge of 2008 begins in earnest with the start of
its winter development programme. Every resource at the team's
disposal will now be focused on next year's World Championship
campaign, which begins in only four months' time.
RUBENS BARRICHELLO
"A disappointing end to a very hard season for us. Our
position wasn't looking too bad before I came in to make my
second stop but unfortunately there was an engine problem
and that ended my race early. I would like to say thank you
to the whole team for the effort they have put in this year.
It was been a very difficult experience but the team has done
a lot of growing together and we will work very hard over
the winter to improve our situation for next year."
JENSON BUTTON
"Not a great end to the season for us. We had a problem
with the engine overheating in the very high temperatures.
We have to look forward now, put the experience of this year
behind us and focus on 2008. I would like to thank the whole
team for the commitment that they have shown this year. It
hasn't been easy for anyone but we have stuck together as
a team and worked so hard to take something from every race.
I would also like to say a special thank you to my physio
Phil Young who has been with me at every race for seven years
and is now moving to a new life in Australia."
JACKY EECKELAERT
Engineering Director
"First of all congratulations to the new World Champion!
Unfortunately our race was less successful. With our race
strategy both drivers might have been in points contention
today. Despite the fact that the car balance was a little
too much on the understeer side, the lap times were competitive
for both Rubens and Jenson. Unfortunately both retired early
in the race with engine failure before we were able to capitalise
on the strategy."
RACE STATS
Drivers Car No. Chassis No. Race Result
Rubens Barrichello 8 RA107-02 DNF Fastest Lap 01:14.742
Jenson Button 7 RA107-04 DNF Fastest Lap 01:14.039
Weather Hot and sunny
Temperatures Air: 36-38°C Track: 55-65°C
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