Canada: We are obviously disappointed

By BAR Honda
June 12 2005

This afternoon's Canadian Grand Prix saw a valiant fight by Lucky Strike BAR Honda to bring a promising weekend to a positive conclusion.

Although Jenson Button and Takuma Sato left the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve empty-handed after a premature conclusion to their race, the whole team leaves Montreal this evening with good reason for optimism.

It was a tough race of attrition for all of the teams with the field depleted by nine drivers at the end of the 70-lap Grand Prix. Both Jenson and Takuma experienced poor starts, which lost them two places each off the grid. Nonetheless, Jenson always had a podium within his sights until he fell victim to the legendary 'Wall of Champions' at the final turn with just 23 laps remaining.

Takuma was tapped at the rear of the car by Jacques Villeneuve in the first corner and sustained some damage to the diffuser and rear wing as a consequence. But his problems really began 22 laps into the race when he experienced a lack of gearbox oil pressure. The team brought him into the pits and worked furiously for 24 laps to replace Takuma's racecar rear end with that of the T-car in only 27 minutes, allowing him to resume the race and make the most of the opportunity to seize an improved qualifying slot in Indianapolis. He rejoined the action with 24 laps remaining but his return to the race was shortlived when the rear of his BAR Honda 007 locked up at the hairpin.

Gil de Ferran, BAR Honda's Sporting Director, commented "We are obviously disappointed not to have finished the race, however that's racing and the overwhelming feeling as we leave Canada and head to the US is a very positive one. Overall, our performance was much improved from the last race and we were challenging at the front end of the field throughout the weekend. Hopefully that's where we'll be in Indianapolis."

Shuhei Nakamoto, Honda Racing Development's Engineering Director, added "A disappointing day. On the positive side, the latest spec engine ran well, and our pace throughout the weekend has been much better. All we can do now is look forward and aim to convert the speed into points next weekend in Indy."