Engine failure dumped both Jenson Button and team-mate Rubens Barrichello out of the Brazilian Grand Prix, just as their race strategy looked like paying off with a charge for points.
Engineering Director Jacky Eeckelaert felt the team’s planning had been vindicated, even if reliability issues meant a dismal season had a dismal end: “With our race strategy both drivers might have been in points contention today.
“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.”
Button himself was keen to draw a line under both the race and the entire season: “Not a great end to the season for us. We had a problem with the engine overheating in the very high temperatures. We have to look forward now, put the experience of this year behind us and focus on 2008.”
He said: “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.”
The end of the season also brought about a change in Button’s personal team: “I would also like to say a special thank you to my physio Phil Young who has been with me at every race for seven years and is now moving to a new life in Australia.”