Honda Plan Massive Testing for 2009

It's no secret to anyone that one of the main reasons for Honda's miserable season inside Formula One has been the team's policy to focus more on the 2009 car rather than trying to develop their 2008 programme throughout the season. With Ross Brown ready to mastermind the development of the new RA109 for the upcoming season, Honda are ready to launch a massive attack on the winter testings to make sure they close the gap on their competition by the beginning of 2009.

“We've kept our testing mileage and our tires for the winter testing, which is another thing that is reflected this season. I believe we have more tires left for winter testing than any other team, which is something we consciously did because of our approach. We will be doing all three winter tests and there will be KERS work being done, work with the tires, and work with some of the aerodynamic pieces for next year. We have got a full test over the winter with a whole myriad of parts,” admitted Brown less than a week before the season finale at Interlagos.

Nevertheless, the Brazilian Grand Prix seems to be the last thing on Honda's mind for the moment. The team is yet to name their full lineup for 2009, with Jenson Button almost certain to be confirmed for the upcoming season, alongside either Rubens Barrichello, Bruno Senna or even Fernando Alonso (although the last solution seems highly unlikely).

The new car is expected to make his first on-track appearance during team's testing sessions in January next year, with the fully updated RA109 hopefully ready by the Australian Grand Prix. Brown also confirmed that the B-version of the 2009 car will have to be ready weeks before the season opener on March 29th.

“I think in common with all the teams we will have an early version and a late version. With the first race not being until later in March we will have the launch car, and none of us will want to reveal all of our secrets in January. So there will be the B-version coming out before the season starts,” concluded Brown.

Honda are currently 9th overall in the constructors' classification, only outscoring Force India with one race to go in the championship (the Indian outfit is still to score their first point in Formula 1). The team's only podium in the last two years was scored by veteran Rubens Barrichello in 2008, at Silverstone.