Thus far in testing the new Honda RA108 has not exactly had the opposition quaking in its boots, and the outfit is something of an easy target for the critics. Nevertheless, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello are doing their best to maintain the optimistic mood that swept through the team when Ross Brawn's appointment was announced in November.
To be fair, we've seen Honda make significant progress during a season before, and they have made it pretty clear that there is much new stuff on the way before Australia - although everyone else is introducing new bits as well, so Honda are aiming at a moving target.
The fact is this is not a sport about overnight miracles. Brawn has not joined a stable, established team, since several key players arrived shortly before he did, and a process of change was already underway. Everyone is still finding their feet, and just like the old cliche about steering an oil tanker, Brawn's input will take some time to work its way through the system.