Lucky Strike Bďż˝Aďż˝R Honda were back on the podium this afternoon after Jenson Button delivered the team's first top three finish of the 2005 season. He ended the San Marino Grand Prix in 3rd place, despite holding 2nd for much of the thrilling 62-lap race. An equally outstanding performance from team-mate Takuma Sato ensured the team achieved its objective of a strong two-car points finish. He ended the race in 5th position from 6th on the grid.

Today's result finally opens the team's points accounts in both the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships and is a fitting tribute to a colossal effort by everyone at Bďż˝Aďż˝R Honda and tyre partner Michelin over the past few weeks.

Jenson Button
Position: 3rd Best Lap Time: 1:22.604

"It's fantastic to be back on the podium again after such a great weekend for the team. It looks like we are very much back in the game. The past three races have been tough for all of us at Bďż˝Aďż˝R Honda and it's fantastic to have put that behind us here today. Everyone has worked incredibly hard - night and day in fact - to turn things around and I have to say a huge 'thank you' to everyone for their efforts. It was an incredible race and a great feeling to be as strong as we were in the early stages. We lost out towards the end when I got a bad run up the hill from Aqua Minerale and Michael was able to get beside me going into the Variante Alta. Fighting him in that position could have put me out of the race, so I decided to play safe and ensure we got home and dry with a podium and our first points to show for it. As we saw here today there is so much more potential though and we can be stronger still if we maintain the momentum and keep fighting for that win."

Takuma Sato
Position: 5th Best Lap Time: 1:23.368

"The team has done a fantastic job, both during the tests working on the new developments and over this race weekend. The car performed very well and I enjoyed the racing here today. We are back on form with a great result and the double-points finish we wanted. At the beginning of the race I was stuck in traffic, but I enjoyed racing side-by-side and making up on my position. The season has really started for us now here at Imola and so I am really looking forward to carrying our strong performance to our next race in Barcelona."

Gil de Ferran, Sporting Director

"I am delighted with the results of this weekend. Personally, it has been a fairytale since this is my first race with Bďż˝Aďż˝R Honda. In a way I am not surprised with Jenson and Taku's performance; over the last few weeks that I've been with the team I was able to witness first-hand the incredible and relentless effort of the whole organisation towards turning our fortunes around - something everyone achieved with full marks. Certainly our success in Imola gives us confidence not only for a good showing in Barcelona, but also in our ability to continue to improve as the season goes on. Many congratulations should also be given to both drivers for doing such a fantastic job all race long. I can't wait to get to Barcelona!"

Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer

"An excellent team performance which rewards a huge amount of work by Bďż˝Aďż˝R Honda and Michelin since the last race. We ran all weekend with good speed and reliability, and both drivers put in excellent performances. I am confident that the team has both the skills and resources to perform at an even higher level in the next few races. This is just the springboard we needed."

Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director, Honda Racing Development

"We have obviously had a very good day today. Both cars finished without any problems and we have been able to fully exploit the speed of the car. This is the start of our challenge this year - we have a lot more work to do to achieve our target of race wins."

2005 San Marino Grand Prix - Main Page
2005 San Marino Grand Prix - Team and Driver Race Reports Page

Sunday Qualifying

Lucky Strike Bďż˝Aďż˝R Honda drivers Jenson Button and Takuma Sato bounced back into the thick of the action for the start of this afternoon's San Marino Grand Prix after posting the 3rd and 6th fastest laps in final qualifying.

They will line up on the 2nd and 3rd rows of the grid for the 62-lap race and Jenson has the benefit of the cleaner side of the track to help him leapfrog the two cars ahead of him.

Conditions were tricky after an overnight downpour and the track was still damp as final qualifying got underway. Both drivers made best use of their Michelin dry weather tyres and Honda engine power to improve on their provisional grid position.

Having posted the 10th fastest provisional time in yesterday's first qualifying session, Takuma delivered an outstanding performance to move up the timesheets by four places - the greatest leap of any driver on the grid. He was pleased with the car balance and performance despite the damp conditions and is confident of a strong race this afternoon.

Having posted the 5th fastest time yesterday Jenson also improved by two grid places to qualify an excellent 3rd. Jenson is confident that he has both the car and strategy to achieve an even better position in today's race.

2005 San Marino Grand Prix - Main Page

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