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F1: Honda Getting Better, Insists Fry
Written by: Adam Cooper
RACER Magazine   http://www.racer.com/speedtv
08/08/2008 - 12:43 PM
Budapest, Hungary
 
Things are looking up at Honda, according to Fry. (LAT Photo) ยป More Photos

Honda F1 CEO Nick Fry insists that despite another low-key performance the Hungarian GP was a positive weekend for the team, because the drivers were enthusiastic about rear suspension developments.

Just two years ago Jenson Button scored what is thus far the team’s only win in soaking wet conditions. Fry says that the team can’t always rely on rain.

“From a performance point of view rain is always helpful,” Fry told SPEEDtv.com. “But in terms of understanding the car, which is really what we need to do for next year, Hungary was really quite useful.

“We were quite encouraged by the rear suspension system, which is by no means properly executed for next year, but it includes some of the ideas that we will use for next year, and it has significantly improved the overall balance and predictability of the car. So we came away not with the best results, but encouraged by what we’ve got.”

Fry says that Honda’s race in Hungary was compromised when the drivers got caught behind the BMW of Nick Heidfeld, which was heavy has he was stopping only once. Button and Rubens Barrichello finished 12th and 16th.

“It was slightly difficult because they both and Jenson especially got hemmed in
behind Heidfeld, and for the first third of the race, he was stuck behind Nick, but couldn’t go through the last two corners fast enough to get a run on Nick down the straight. So we were frustrated and went into fuel saving mode, basically.

“Then what we tried to do was have a shorter middle sector, but we failed to come out in front of Heidfeld by one second. So again he then got involved in blue flag situations, so you start losing more time.

“With Rubens, he got a very good start, but at the pit stop we had a problem with the fuel rig, and it was as simple as not going on cleanly. We spilled about half a litre of fuel which gave us a quick flash fire. But the guys reacted very well, and we lost time, but no more than that.”

Fry says he’s looking forward to the upcoming street race in Valencia.

“Everything we’ve heard about the track is positive. It’s very high speed in places, but going down to some very low speed corners. So it’s good in terms of overtaking opportunities, we’re told by the GP2 that were down there that it’s going to be good fun. It’ll be another hot race I’m sure, and it’s by the seaside, so we’re looking forward to it.”
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