Formula 1 News

Honda: 2008 Japanese Grand Prix preview 

Rubens Barrichello: “I was very impressed with the Fuji Speedway. The track is a lot more interesting than we originally thought with a nice flow and some tight challenging corners towards the end of the lap. We had limited dry running last year, and then of course the very wet race, so we don’t have a comparison of how the track would be over a normal race weekend. There are a couple of potential overtaking places though, which is always good to see in a new circuit. I always enjoy visiting Japan and you want to do your best at your home race. As Honda drivers, we enjoy some really good support over the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. The fans are such good fun and crazy about Formula One.”

Jenson Button: “The Japanese Grand Prix is always a special weekend for the team as our second home race of the season. Racing for a Japanese team, we always have fantastic support and the fans are so enthusiastic that it makes for a great atmosphere. For me, the true home of the Japanese Grand Prix is Suzuka, which is just one of the best circuits in the world, and I can’t wait to return there next year. However I did enjoy driving at the Fuji Speedway last year and the circuit has a nice mix of twisty corners and the high-speed pit straight. A lot of the corners have a very late apex, which is quite unusual. It will be a busy week for me as I took part in the annual Tokyo Motorsports Festival in Odaiba today which is a great event that really allows our fans to get close to the action. From here, we will attend the Honda Press Conference on Tuesday before heading to Fuji on Thursday to prepare for the race weekend.”

Ross Brawn: “For Honda, the Japanese Grand Prix is one of the highlights of the year, and we all take great pride in racing in front of our home fans. This will be my first Japanese Grand Prix with Honda and also my first visit to the Fuji Speedway, so I am very much looking forward to the race weekend. The track had a major facelift before the race returned there last year and by all accounts the facilities and track layout are very impressive. The first two-thirds of the lap are very fast before a complex series of corners through sector three. The weather was the major talking point at Fuji last year, with fog and monsoon-like conditions greatly affecting qualifying and the race. The location of the track in the mountainous region of Mount Fuji ensures that it is susceptible to weather fronts, so we look forward to seeing what challenges will be thrown our way on this occasion.”

source: Honda