Honda duo pay tribute to struggling team

Both Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello were halted by engine problems at Interlagos, and the Brazilian had already been delayed by a jump-start penalty.

The result meant that Barrichello finished a season without a single point for the first time in his 15-year Formula One career, but he remained upbeat about the future.

"Our position wasn't looking too bad before I came in to make my second stop but unfortunately there was an engine problem and that ended my race early," he said.

"I would like to say thank you to the whole team for the effort they have put in this year. It was been a very difficult experience but the team has done a lot of growing together and we will work very hard over the winter to improve our situation for next year."

Button, who had been running 10th when his engine overheated, concurred with his teammate.

"Not a great end to the season for us," the Briton admitted.

"We have to look forward now, put the experience of this year behind us and focus on 2008.

"I would like to thank the whole team for the commitment that they have shown this year. It hasn't been easy for anyone but we have stuck together as a team and worked so hard to take something from every race."

Honda's engineering director Jacky Eeckelaert felt that the duo's pace had been promising before they had to stop.

"With our race strategy both drivers might have been in points contention today," he suggested.

"Despite the fact that the car balance was a little too much on the understeer side, the lap times were competitive for both Rubens and Jenson.

"Unfortunately both retired early in the race with engine failure before we were able to capitalise on the strategy."