Points For Honda at Imola
The San Marino Grand Prix ended in disappointment for the Honda Racing F1 Team, with Jenson Button finishing seventh and Rubens Barrichello 10th. Both drivers expected more from the 62-lap race after starting from second (Jenson) and third (Rubens) positions. But events on the track and in the pitlane conspired against them.
At the start, Jenson converted his front row grid position and tucked in behind Michael Schumacher into Turn 1. Rubens, on the other hand, didn't get off the line so well and dropped two places into the first corner.
The Safety Car then came out at the end of the opening lap, following an accident at the back of the field. When the race re-started on lap three, both Honda Racing F1 drivers got away well, providing proof that the team has solved its tyre temperature problems from Australia. The drivers then stayed in third and fifth places until their first pitstops on laps 14 (Rubens) and 15 (Jenson).
At Rubens' first pitstop his fuel rig failed to deliver so the team rapidly switched to Jenson's rig. At Jenson's first stop there was a problem with the right rear wheel nut and then in his second stop the lollipop was lifted momentarily before the fuel nozzle was disconnected. As the car pulled away, a number of mechanics were hit by the fuel hose and knocked over. Some fuel was spilt, but thankfully no one was seriously hurt and fire extinguishers were instantly on stand-by but fortunately were not required.
Rubens made his second and final stop on lap 34, while Jenson made a third stop on lap 44, rejoining the track ninth. By the flag, Jenson had battled his way back to seventh, 1.8s behind Mark Webber. Rubens was 10th, half a minute behind Ralf Schumacher.
The Honda Racing F1 Team now heads to Silverstone for a three-day test session ahead of the next race, the European Grand Prix, on 7 May.