Formula One news

Honda encouraged by Barrichello run

The Honda team's Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button ended this afternoon's Chinese Grand Prix in 11th and 16th positions respectively. Both drivers were on two-stop strategies and they raced well in hot and humid conditions.

"It was a better race today than some of our recent races but it is disappointing not to have been able to get into the points." said Barrichello. "I had a great start and first lap where I overtook three cars to move up to 10th and went flat out for the whole race to try and make up some ground on the people ahead. However our finishing position in 11th is reflective of what the car is capable of and we have to be pleased with making the best out of the package that we have available whilst still being disappointed not to score any points."

Button commented, "The race today was more exciting than the last couple of races have been at least and I had some fun overtaking Sutil and Nakajima into the hairpin at the start. From then I really struggled with the car and from being stuck behind Coulthard for much of the race. After my final pitstop I had a clear stint on the option tyre and the car balance felt reasonable, but I had very poor traction and corner apex understeer. So overall a frustrating race as I wasn't able to find out my true pace on the prime tyre in clean air." 

Team boss Ross Brawn added, "We opted for a reasonably aggressive strategy with both cars on two stops, as we had seen through the weekend that the tyres would struggle on heavy fuel. Rubens had a very good start and his pace was good throughout the race. It would have been nice to pick up a point or two but nonetheless we are very pleased that we beat several cars that have been faster than us of late and on merit alone. Jenson's race was compromised in the early stages when he was held up behind a one-stopping David Coutlhard but this was always the risk of an aggressive strategy from the back."

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