Formula One news

Honda drivers upbeat after free practice

The 2008 season got underway in Melbourne today with the first two practice sessions for this weekend's curtain-raiser, the Australian Grand Prix. Honda Racing drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello were upbeat after concluding a solid day of set-up work to fine-tune the RA108 to the demands of the Albert Park circuit conditions. Button and Barrichello ended the day in 11th and 14th positions.

"Today has been a good day for us," said Button. "We focused mainly on tyre work and getting the best out of the car in the very hot conditions. Everything went smoothly and the car feels much as it did at the Jerez test, which is pleasing. We won't know our true relative position compared to the competition until later tomorrow, but at the moment the priority for us is focusing on our own test items and adapting the set-up to the requirements and conditions here."

Rubens Barrichello said: "It's very hot and dry today, with the temperatures increasing this afternoon, so the track has lost some grip over the course of the day. The track was better in the morning session and I was much happier with the car then.

"It is still too early to tell how we will perform in qualifying tomorrow. We ran a fairly conservative programme today and we are looking better than in testing, but Friday is not a real indicator of performance as everyone is running their own programme with regard to fuel levels. We aim to be in the middle of the pack tomorrow and I believe we are on course for this."

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• 23 Jul.
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  • Photos: Wednesday in Jerez
  • Q&A with Timo Glock
• 22 Jul.
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  • Grosjean back in action for Renault
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  • Renault still targets fourth
  • Photos: Tuesday in Jerez
  • Hamilton on his German Grand Prix win
  • Testing gets under way at Jerez
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• 21 Jul.
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  • Glock leaves hospital
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• 20 Jul.
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  • Not a good day at Ferrari
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  • Victorious Hamilton would have preferred easy ride
  • Hamilton storms to victory at Hockenheim
  • Photos: Sunday in Hockenheim

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