Formula One news

Honda expecting Turkish boost

Shuhei Nakamoto is confident that the Honda F1 team will put the dismal performance of the Hungarian Grand Prix behind it next weekend in Istanbul. At the Hungaroring, Jenson Button retired whilst Rubens Barrichello struggled all race, finishing behind Adrian Sutil's Spyker and rock bottom.

However, Honda's senior technical officer is hoping that the work carried out at the Honda factory on the difficult RA107 car should address the relevant performance issues before the Turkish Grand Prix. Despite no track testing in this period, an intensive programme of development has been underway, with the team keen to return to racing with some improvements.

"We have been working very hard at the factory during the three-week break since the Hungarian Grand Prix to analyse the problems that we experienced in that race and to continue developing the car," Nakamoto said. "Everyone at the team was very disappointed with our performance at the Hungaroring and although we recognise the RA107 particularly struggled at this type of high downforce circuit, we are making all possible efforts to improve our current situation. The next race in Turkey is a circuit which should be more suited to our car and we expect to be able to fight more effectively in the midfield. We need to keep looking forward, maintain our motivation and work hard."

Button also remains upbeat: "I have had a couple of great races here in the last two years to finish in the top six, and whilst our performance isn't quite there this year, I am expecting an improvement from the last race."

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