By Phil Huff
May 28 2006

Despite a superb fourth place finish, Honda Racing F1's Rubens Barrichello was also left feeling disappointed by the teams performance in Monaco. "Fourth is a good points finish and my best so far this season but I'm disappointed because I was looking good for third today," said the Brazilian after the race.

Finishing some 53 seconds behind race winner Fernando Alonso, who had backed off so much in the last stint that some drivers managed to unlap themselves, the outright pace of the Honda RA106 was found wanting, and Rubens shared that feeling.

"It was a tough race and I didn't feel competitive at all," he explained. "I was carrying a lot of fuel but I did a good job to keep pace because I was really struggling with the balance of the car."

Following the safety car period late in the race, Rubens got a drive through penalty for speeding in the pitlane, an offence that ultimately cost him a podium position.

"It was obviously a huge blow to be called in for the drive-through penalty because I was sure the limiter light was on. I'm really very upset for the team and for myself because it would have been an extra point, but more than that, my first podium of the year."

Had it not been for the retirements of Raikkonen, Webber and Trulli, as well as Schumacher's and Fisichella's penalties in qualifying, Rubens could have been looking at an eight place finish. Given that, there were some positives to take away.

"The guys did a great job all weekend," he added, "especially for us to qualify well on such a lot of fuel and I thank them for that."