Honda chief calms Button
Honda chief calms Button
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Monday, 24, Apr 2006 08:42
Honda boss Nick Fry has attempted to assuage the anger of Jenson Button after this weekend's pit lane error in the San Marino grand prix.
Button was left fuming after Honda's lollipop man - who gives the driver a green signal when he can continue - flashed the go symbol too soon during his pit stop at Imola.
The British driver raced off but the fuel pipe was still in the car. Petrol exploded everywhere and Button was forced to stop as the hose was disengaged, costing him third place in the race.
Button was furious with the mistake and the performance of his car so far this season and demanded a meeting with his boss today.
Honda boss Fry said: "The team is incredibly strong and we have a fast car. We need to take the next step. Certainly we have taken a step in the right direction. Are we competitive with the Renault? Absolutely not.
"It's very clear, if you take out all the problems, we are faster than we were in Australia. We still need to do more work and we will be hard at it at Silverstone this week."
Despite a string of good results in qualifying, Button has had trouble with his vehicle and has managed to amass just 13 points from the opening four grands prix.