Here comes part three in my review of the Greatest F1 Team ever (well in my opinion anyway). I’m afraid from this point on things will get gloomy. Whilst Honda managed to score its first podium since Brazil 2006, these three races marked a turning point in the team’s fortunes and probably prompted the decision to concentrate on 2009.
2008 Season review of Honda Racing F1: Part Three, Canada to Britain
Canada: 8th June 2008
Qualifying
Jenson Button (JB): 19
Rubens Barrichello (RB): 9
Race
JB: 11
RB: 7
A real mixed Saturday provided Rubens with his best Qualifying position of the year so far and gear box woes proved to be a thorn in Jenson’s side. So Rubens got into Q3 and qualified a very respectable P9 whilst Jenson could only manage P19.
Despite the mixed bag in Qualifying both drivers performed very well on race day. As always the Canadian GP gave spectators a chaotic and enjoyable show.
The big news was that Kubica managed to capitalise on bizarre mistakes from Hamilton and Rosberg, but to me as a Honda fan the best news was that for a while it looked as if Rubens was on target for a podium!
A great one stop strategy and more top driving meant that the Brazilian was able to score good (crucial) points for Honda. Jenson too did very well; fighting hard and keeping focused to come from the very back of the grid and finish just outside the top ten.
Only 13 cars finished the race due to the tricky surface and I think that it was a great achievement for both drivers to bring the RA108s in unscathed.
France: 22nd June 2008
Qualifying
JB: 17
RB: 18
Race
JB: DNF
RB: 14
A really disappointing Saturday, neither driver even threatened Q2. The official Team Web site described the day as “character-building.” In actual fact, this race or Canada, marked the point at which Honda would now be lucky to break into the second session of qualifying.
Both drivers were reasonably pleased with their set ups but stated that the car simply lacked pace. Head of Race and Test Engineering Steve Clark, rather worryingly (for we Honda fans and the Team), seemed to suggest on the official website that the teams performance, (or lack of!) was a bit of a surprise.
As would be the case for the rest of the season now, the two Honda drivers would have to prove their worth on race day.
8 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Duncan Scott 7 months ago
Do you really think Honda are a greater F1 team than, for instance, Ferrari? I admire your loyalty to a dismal team, but don't understand it.
Now that Honda is having to close the Swindon factory for a couple of months, could that mean anything for their F1 budget?
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Michael Griffin 7 months ago
Honda do not have any money problems to speak of really, but the demand for new cars right now is far less than the amount of cars they make in Swindown, so two months closure will actually save them a bit of dosh too as the workers will get thrown to the minimum wage whilst they are off work.
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Craig Dalrymple 7 months ago
I think its sucks that the guy who brought in the most points is getting the sack. If Toro Roso are smart, the will have a veteran next year.
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Stephen Bailey 7 months ago
I have long admired Honda for their efforts, and they have had much success over the years. Old Soichiro was a brilliant man who was made to do things the hard way by the Japanese Government. I do not, however, consider them the greatest team in F1. This is, in my view, Ferrari. For over 55 years we have seen the prancing horse enjoy the highest highs and endure the lowest lows. I hope I can watch both teams for another 50 years.
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Lola Judd 7 months ago
Is today's BAR-Honda team better than the 1988 McLaren team? Honda got beat by Toro Rosso.
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Patrick Allen 7 months ago
People, I was joking. I wasn't stating that Honda was historically the best F1 team ever. They are my favorite team ever! The team I was talking about has only been racing from 2006! BAR were more successful and the Honda McLaren was a beast, not to mention Ferrari! lol! any way, who do you lot actually reckon is the greatest team ever?
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Saraswathi Siriginia 7 months ago
Patrick, I love the fact that you are hoping for things to turn around for Honda, I am waiting too...but unfortunately, Ross Brawn does not seem to have made a single bit of difference
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Patrick Allen 7 months ago
Thanks, I love the team. Being a Tottenham Hotspur fan I was ecstatic when Harry Redknapp took over and my team was instantly transformed. I think in Soccer this is much easier than in F1. What Rednkapp has done at Tottenham is give confidence to the team, sure he's tinkered with strategy and got some new coaches in, but his significant input has been to make the players believe they can win.
I think Brawn has done the same at Honda (especially for my fave driver JB). Honda dropped the ball after 2006 and employed some people that weren't situated for the job (I'm thinking a certain bloke who could design bikes fantastically, but when it came to 4 wheels...crashed and burned!).
I saw that on a different article you reckoned the loss of Alonso meant the end of Brawn's chances. I think to an extent this is true, but I also strongly believe that keeping Rubens on could help the team significantly. The problem with F1 is that it all takes too much time, and whatever Brawn does he is always competing with other teams with a better starting point.
Who knows Senna or Di Grassi may well prove to be like little Schumies at Bennaton. This year will be Brawn's first proper season (last year I think he was getting used to the new set up). If Honda hasn't improved by 2011, then I think we can say that Brawn has done nothing.
I think give him some time and look at what he has done to the morale of the team. blimey I've written a small essay here! lol anyway, thanks for your comments as always Saraswathi :)
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