Ho-Hum Honda in China

There are several reasons as a Honda fan that I’m glad this season is nearly over. 

The first is obviously that 2008 has been a dismal season, worse than last year and frankly, painful to watch (though arguably not as uncomfortable as some fans may feel watching Ferrari practically throw away their title challenge).  

The second reason is that after being disappointed for so long, I will soon be able to get excited about a fresh start for 2009.

Third, and most significant for me as a Bleacher reporter; I’m simply running out of things to write about Honda in 2008!

China gave us another disappointing race for Honda and, after the last couple of races, a pretty dull procession overall.  Lewis showed that when he listens to his team and starts from the front he can win effortlessly, and Felipe showed that basically he doesn’t seem to have any answers or tricks up his sleeve.

During qualifying, Honda’s chances of breaking into Q2 were aided by engine troubles for Red Bull’s Mark Webber (who was given a 10-place penalty for an engine change) and sure enough, one of the RA108’s made it through.

Qualifying comparisons show that of all the teams on this year’s grid, Rubens and Jenson are the closest.  Before China they had each beaten one another in qualifying eight times.  China was Rubens' race though, with Jenson below par from Friday onwards.

Set up and balance troubles meant that 18th was all Button could manage.  Rubens was able to find far more speed (he was four tenths faster than Jenson) and got through Q1 at P15. 

He then pushed the car to the max and finished the second session a very successful (for this season) P14, which translated into P13 with Webber’s 10-place drop.

A pretty good start for both Hondas saw Jenson and Rubens make up three places each, boosting them to P15 and P10 respectively.  

Rubens battled with a lighter and faster Webber before eventually having to yield.  As the race progressed, Rubens drove like a man on a mission, and Jenson slipped back down the grid.  

The Hondas finished 11th and 16th, with Rubens totally outperforming Jenson.  So why was Rubens so much faster than Jenson this week?

Throughout the race build up, and during the race, commentators seemed to be suggesting that Rubens was very much driving for a place on the team next year.  If this is true, as a fan of Honda I feel rather disappointed.  

Instead of announcing their driver line-up last weekend, Honda hung on to the rumour that they may have a Spaniard in the team next year (which frankly looks as likely as Jenson winning the 2008 title).

I would have thought that after back-to-back wins with Renault, Honda would have realised their hopes were in vain, and name their drivers for 2009.

I was horrified when Martin Brundle spoke of Honda apparently testing Bruno Senna for a drive next year.  This is not out of any ill feeling towards Senna.  In fact, I think he is a great driver and guy and would I love to see in F1 soon.

I was horrified because it looks as if Honda are thinking about dumping Rubens (Jenson seems pretty safe…touch wood!!).  Both Honda drivers have remained committed throughout this morale-breaking season and deserve at least one more chance to prove themselves.  

Obviously, as Jenson is my F1 hero, I’d rather he stayed than Rubens, but I think it would be heartless to dump such a great driver; especially one who has stated that he wants to continue and has shown that he is more than capable.  But then F1 can be a cruel game.

I hope that Honda will soon announce their 2009 line up as Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button, and that hopefully next year these two drivers will elevate their team much nearer to the front of the grid.