France Sunday quotes: Honda

"Our engineers and mechanics did a great job this weekend, so I would like to thank them for their hard work and motivation. However there is no escaping the fact that this has been a painful weekend for us. We have a lot of hard work ahead at the test in Silverstone next week where we aim to improve the competitiveness of the car for the next few races with some new developments."

Jenson Button - DNF: "Going out of the race so early is a disappointing end to what has been a tough weekend for us. I got a good start and was alongside Bourdais. I thought he was going to turn in at turn one and close the door so I pulled in behind him and then unfortunately hit him in the rear as everything slowed down for the corner.

"I could feel that there was something broken at the front of the car as there was an air coming in from the front, but the car was driveable and I was staying with the back of the pack so I continued. However the front wing must have been loose as a result of the impact, as it dislodged itself when I went over the kerbs in the last chicane and got stuck under the front of the car.

"We replaced the nose but the bargeboards had been pulled off and the car had become undriveable so I had to retire. It's my home Grand Prix next and we have a busy programme at the Silverstone test next week to prepare, so we will stay positive and keep looking forward."

Ross Brawn, Team Principal: "Rubens got a good start and then did a solid job managing the tyres with a heavy fuel load for the first stint. Unfortunately though he was trapped behind a slower car, which allowed the cars ahead to pull away. However, with a good strategy and consistent laps, Rubens was able to move through the field and, having started from the back of the grid, he went on to make up five places.

"While this is by no means a good result, the team and car worked very well throughout the whole race. Jenson's first corner incident with Bourdais damaged the front wing, and as a consequence it became loose and broke off. Despite a nose change, some residual bodywork damage was causing him to lose a great deal of downforce. Given that it was so early in the race it was not sensible to leave a stricken car running so we decided to retire him.

"Next week we are testing at Silverstone where we will be evaluating a considerable aero upgrade which we plan to introduce for the British Grand Prix in two weeks' time. There will be further developments to this over the coming races then a suspension upgrade for the start of the final long haul races."