By Honda Racing F1
October 18 2006

The final race of the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship, Round 18 - the Brazilian Grand Prix, takes place next weekend at the Interlagos circuit in the city of Sao Paulo. A unique and exciting circuit, infamous for its bumps and occasionally torrid weather conditions, the race at Interlagos will bring to a close one of the most exciting Formula One seasons in recent years.

As well as being the home grand prix for the Honda Racing F1 Team's Rubens Barrichello, the weekend will also be particularly poignant for the team as it marks the final race for former team owner and title sponsor British American Tobacco after nine years of involvement in Formula One.

The Honda Racing F1 Team hopes to end the season on a high as it continues to close the gap to 3rd place in the Constructors' Championship with an impressive run of form that has seen a points finish in every race since the German Grand Prix. Not only that, but Jenson Button has scored the most points of any driver since his first victory in Hungary in August.

Gil de Ferran
Sporting Director
Honda Racing F1

"Interlagos is a challenging circuit because it is one of the few anti-clockwise tracks on the calendar. Furthermore, the circuit is notoriously bumpy, placing particular emphasis on mechanical set-up, however we expect that this should suit our car.

"Clearly our second half of the season has been much-improved and we have been competitive in most of the races. Jenson has delivered a fantastic string of results of late and for Rubens this promises to be an emotionally-charged weekend in front of his home crowd at a circuit where he has always performed well.

"The latest specification of Honda engine showed good performance last time out in Japan, so there is no reason why we should not be able to continue our current form next weekend and end the season on a high note."