Jenson predicts Honda upturn
Tuesday, 04, July, 2006, 14:58
Jenson Button is predicting that Honda will make more progress than any other team between now and the French Grand Prix on July 16.
The Japanese manufacturer is introducing a raft of aerodynamic changes to its RA106 at the next race in Magny Cours and will testing the new parts at Jerez in Spain this week.
Although the team looked more competitive at Indianapolis last weekend, the heavily revised car comes after Honda’s early-season target of race wins faded into a scrap to score points.
Button says that the Brackley-based squad's 2006 progress has been hampered by a lack of testing of new parts, but insists that has now changed after its £25million full-scale wind tunnel came on-line last month.
"People will be moving forward but not as much as us," he told the BBC.
"This will be the second big step we have had this year whereas other teams have had 10 or 12 smaller steps.
“That has been our biggest issue - getting things tested.
"A lot of it is because we have had a lot of work on the new wind tunnel.
"We should be able to make bigger steps now than we have in the past."
The 26-year-old’s unfortunate retirement from last weekend’s Indianapolis race was the fourth GP in succession that he has failed to score a point.
But he is now eagerly anticipating the introduction of the revised car and is confident that it can turn his disappointing season around.
“I am itching to get the new aerodynamic package," said Button.
"We have an important test this week when we will be testing parts which will be a good step forward."
“It won't be the end of it, it won't change it around completely but there are a lot of other things happening which are very promising.
“It will definitely move us forward."
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