First qualifying for this
weekend's San Marino Grand Prix
provided
Lucky Strike B·A·R
Honda with a further clear sign
that they are back where they
belong at the top end of the timesheets
as Jenson Button posted the 5th
fastest time of the session. His
team-mate Takuma Sato ended the
day 10th.
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Jenson Button |
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Jenson Button |
Takuma and Jenson left the
pit lane 7th and 8th respectively
for the start of this crucial
first session, which provided
the first real indication of just
how much of a step forward the
teams have made following the
introduction of their 'Imola upgrades'.
Boosted by a smooth morning's
progress in the last two free
practice sessions of the weekend,
both drivers were aware that their
early qualifying runs - determined
by the retirements in Bahrain
- would compromise their chances
of finishing at the very top of
the timesheets.
Nonetheless, with just 0.7sec
separating 3rd and 13th places
and encouraging signs that there
is more to come from the revised
B·A·R Honda 007,
the team are optimistic for tomorrow's
race.
Jenson
Button, Position: 5th
"I am reasonably happy considering
the position we started in for
qualifying. My lap was going really
well until the last sector, when
I had too much understeer. At least
it has shown that we are have made
some big improvements and are on
the pace. It would have nice to
be on pole here, but if we are
in the top five tomorrow I will
be very happy because I think the
car is strong enough for us to
make the best of every opportunity
in tomorrow's race."
Takuma
Sato, Position: 10th
"We had good pace in free practice
this morning. We knew we were going
to be affected by running early
in the session with the track conditions
certain to improve for the drivers
running later. Although I struggled
with grip a little, I am reasonably
pleased with my lap and everybody's
lap time in the top ten is so close
together. Because of this, I feel
that tomorrow morning I have a
good chance of improving my position
on the grid for the race. The two
weeks' testing in Barcelona and
Paul Ricard is paying off though
and we are confident that we will
be able to get our season started
here in Imola."
Gil De Ferran - Sporting Director
"After very strong morning sessions,
we had set our sights high for
this afternoon's qualifying. However,
we were also conscious that with
early start times it was going
to be difficult to get into the
top positions. Both drivers had
good qualifying laps and we are
very pleased with the progress
we have made generally since the
last race. We now feel confident
for tomorrow's second qualifying
session and the race."
Shuhei Nakamoto - Engineering Director, Honda Racing Development
"With both of the drivers in the
top ten it shows that we have definitely
made good progress. I am looking
forward to 2nd qualifying and the
race tomorrow, as it will be very
exciting with so many cars so closely
matched."
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April 23, 2005
