Button, Barrichello to drive for Honda next season
TOKYO, Sept 25, 2007 (AFP) - Honda confirmed Tuesday Jenson Button of Britain and Rubens Barrichello of Brazil will continue to drive for its Formula One team next season.
"I confirm that Rubens and Jenson will be driving for Honda Formula One team next year, so we are very pleased to have the drivers continuing such good experience to work for us," Honda Racing Team boss Nick Fry told reporters.
The Japanese outfit have struggled this season as the McLaren team of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso dominate while Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen has also notched up four victories.
Fry said it was important to have continuity of drivers with sound knowledge of the team, which is gearing up for the Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway on Sunday.
Button said this season had been tough for the Honda team, but he was looking forward to the Japanese GP and ahead to 2008.
"It's great to be back in Japan for the Japanese Grand Prix. I think Japan is a second home, obviously Honda's home and it's quite an emotional race for them," said Button.
"It's going to be a difficult weekend for us, but we can fight through it and we will do our best. We had a very tough season, but personally I'm very positive about the next season. There are very good people within the team."
Barrichello agreed, saying "this season has been disappointing, but I keep very positive energy."
Button has been with Honda since 2003 while Barrichello arrived from Ferrari in 2006.