No quick fix at Honda, says Fry

The Japanese squad, who scored a win last year on their way to fourth place in the standings, have struggled with their RA107 car, which has proved a lot less competitive than last year's machine.

Neither Rubens Barrichello nor Jenson Button have managed to score any points this season, with an 11th position as their best result after the first three races.

And although the team have said they are not ready to write the season off, Fry has admitted there will be no quick fix to their problems.

"The truth is that we had an excellent base to start from, the 2006 car, but instead we wanted to change too many things and now we are struggling," Fry told Autosprint magazine.

"With this year's tyres the car's aerodynamics isn't adequate, it's inefficient, there's no going around it.

"The only consolation, if you can call it that, is that Renault seem to have the same problem. Will we be able to solve this problem soon? I don't know. We don't lack technical, financial, human resources, but these are difficult problems.

"I don't expect resounding improvements either in Spain or much less in Monte Carlo. We came to these tests with various aerodynamic and mechanical modifications. Maybe we'll gain two tenths, but the problem is that the others too will gain as much.

"I don't expect progresses in the mid-term. Let's say things may improve in four months' time. The concept of a new project is always relative: certainly there are aspects of the current car that need to be re-done completely."

Fry also praised his drivers for keeping their cool despite having to cope with such a problematic car.

"Our 2007 car is so difficult to drive, has so many problems, that with less experienced drivers there would be a serious risk of incurring in a big accident," he added. "The current drivers are doing the maximum and their experience is a big help in order to minimize the damage.

"The experience and the enthusiasm typical of young drivers would just increase the problems. Barrichello and Button don't let panic take them over. If we manage at least to finish the races, we owe it a lot to them as well."