Honda duo eye fresh start in 2008
Jenson Button believes Honda's dismal 2007 season has helped bring out the real character of the Japanese squad
Button, who clinched his maiden GP victory last season, scored just six points in 17 races after the RA107 car proved uncompetitive right from the start of the year.
Honda finished in eighth place in the constructors' championship after being unable to fix the problems with their car.
Despite the poor year, Button believes there are positives to found and he is hopeful 2008 will be a fresh start for the team.
"It goes without saying that 2007 has been a very tough season for me and the Honda Racing F1 Team," Button told the official Formula One website. "However, a year like this brings out the real character of a team.
"We've had to pull together, keep motivated and try as hard as we can even though the performance of the car was far from what we expected. I'm pleased that we were able to do that and achieve points finishes when others had faster cars and didn't.
"Fighting from further back on the grid has actually been quite fun in the second half of the year, particularly in Turkey, Italy and China where I managed to do a lot of overtaking. This all helps to develop your race craft for the future.
"We know where we went wrong with this car and the team will be back at the factory over the winter working very hard to give Rubens and myself a more competitive car for next year.
"For my part, I will be focusing as always on my physical fitness and preparation for the new season, and we will hope to make a fresh and positive start to 2008."
Teammate Rubens Barrichello had an even tougher year, not scoring a single point for the first time in 15 seasons in Formula One.
The Brazilian, however, is adamant Honda will be able to bounce back in 2008.
"We knew from the start of the season that the RA107 would not be on the pace and it was such a disappointment, particularly after the team ended the previous season in 2006 so strongly," said Barrichello.
"Having said that, the season has been a learning experience for the team and I am very proud of the way that we have all pulled together and worked through the difficult times. I am disappointed not to have scored any points this year as but for some bad luck at key times, we should have been in the points on at least a couple of occasions.
"Looking ahead to next season, we will be working very hard over the winter and pre-season to improve our position for the 2008 season.
"The team has done a lot of growing together this year, and with some of the new faces who have joined to strengthen our resources back at the factory, I am optimistic that there will be an improvement in our performance next year."
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