By Phil Huff
October 7 2006

Yasuhiro Wada, Honda Racing Development's president, sat alongside Toyota, Super Aguri and Bridgestone bosses in the Friday Five press conference today. What are you expecting here at Suzuka this weekend?

The last five races have been very good including our first win so we would like to repeat those good performances. Of course, we are targeting a podium finish and the highest point would be great.

What are you feelings about this being the last race here at Suzuka, at least for a little while?

Well, Suzuka is a very traditional course and I understand that many drivers love it. It’s a shame to miss a very traditional and fun place from the calendar. I hope some day we can come back.

I am sure your aims were higher this year. What do you feel has gone wrong?

Well, the winter testing was good, but unfortunately we struggled early in the season how to utilise the tyre well and it took us time to find the best performance out of it, so we struggled and later we improved with the aerodynamics and the mechanical set up and now we are here and we are quite confident now.

Are there plans to return here?

I may not be the position to discuss about it, but I understand Suzuka is still in discussions with Bernie and I hope I can contribute to the discussions and maybe we can come back to Suzuka in 2012 or maybe second race in Japan or maybe Fuji-Suzuka, Fuji-Suzuka, that might be good. I wouldn’t say goodbye to Suzuka, I just like to say thank-you to Suzuka.

Your aims for next year?

Well, next year will be the seventh year, so although we have our first win so obviously we have to challenge for the championship and I hope next year will the lucky seventh year.

As you know, this is a Honda circuit and Fuji is a Toyota circuit. Does this affect your performance in any way?

Well, nothing mechanically, but emotionally, it will affect, yes.

What would be the best suggestion to promote Formula One more in Japan?

Performance of a Japanese team, or driver, would be great. Yes it would surely influence. And great if a Japanese driver could win…