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.
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