Formula One news

Honda still has some way to go

Following the launch of the new RA108 at the Honda team's Brackley headquarters earlier this week, the team embarked on a three-day test programme at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. Chassis RA108-01 was the focus of an initial shakedown in Valencia last week in a pre-launch specification, but this week marked the first intensive test programme with the first two chassis, for which race drivers Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button were joined by test and reserve driver Alex Wurz.

"At our first proper test with the RA108 and with the benefit of two chassis, our focus has been on basic set-up work and reliability testing," said Honda's head of engineering Steve Clark. "We still have a lot of work to do on developing the set-up as the RA108 is so different aerodynamically to its predecessor that it is going to take some time over the next few tests to optimise the chassis settings. We are also still working to adapt to the new ECU and this has proved particularly difficult in the low-grip conditions we have experienced. These challenges have been reflected in our speed here, especially on single fast laps, although our long run consistency is a
little better."

"Generally, the work we have achieved gives us a good basis for the next test in Jerez, where we will aim to further develop the car," he added.

The team's pre-season testing programme will now move to Jerez on 12-13-14 February.

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