By Phil Huff
April 19 2006

The world of Formula One returns to Europe this weekend, arriving first at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari - or Imola to you, me and Honda Racing F1. Located in Tuscan woodland 20 miles south-east of Bologna, the San Marino circuit is actually in Italy, making this a second home race for Ferrari. While Ferrari struggle to get their 248 F1 up to pace, Honda will be introducing a revised RA106 for Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button to race.

Through the years Imola gained a reputation as a fast, narrow circuit with some daunting corners. Following the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna in 1994 however, the straights were shortened and interrupted by chicanes. As the nature of the circuit changed, so chassis set-up priorities shifted from low downforce, which maximises straight-line speed, to higher levels of downforce, which keep cornering speeds up.

The straights aren't so long that they place an absolute premium on outright power, although some 62% of the lap is on full throttle. The chicanes and bumpy track surface demand good handling characteristics, which should suit the BAR Honda 007, even if the aerodynamics are letting it down slightly.

There is a heavy penalty for running with full fuel tanks here, with each 10kg of fuel delaying the car by about 0.425 seconds. With the Honda engine being somewhat less economical than some of our competitors, qualifying is likely to be compromised, with the team running light to gain grid position at the penalty of an early pit stop.

Last years race saw Jenson Button start and finish in third place, with Takuma Sato following him home shortly afterwards. However, the team were later disqualified from the race. A year earlier, Button started in pole position, before pitting on lap nine. Running towards the front for the entire race, he came home second behind only Michael Schumacher. Takuma Sato secured eighth place to gain a valuable point for BAR Honda.

Honda powered F1 drivers have been on the podium 13 times at Imola, winning with Ayrton Senna in 1988, 1989 and 1991, and with Nigel Mansell in 1987.