Honda set to join 300 club

Since then, Honda has been involved in three generations of F1 participation: 1964-1968 as the initial works team, 1983-1992 as an engine supplier and from 2000 initially as an engine supplier to the B.A.R Honda and then Jordan Honda teams, before finally taking 100 per cent ownership of the Honda Racing F1 Team at the start of this season.

In more than 40 years of F1 participation, Honda has won 71 races, taken 173 podiums and 77 pole positions. Only Ferrari, Ford and Renault have contested more GPs.

"Hockenheim is one of the more historic circuits that we go to, and it is quite appropriate that we celebrate our 300th GP at such a venue," says Gil de Ferran, Sporting Director who is cautiously optimistic that Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button will be back in the points on Sunday after an encouraging test last week in Spain.

"Both our drivers have done well at Hockenheim in the past, and so has our car, which is always positive. It seems from the test results of the chassis and engine development items in Jerez that we have made a step in the right direction, hopefully these results will translate well for the weekend."

Rubens Barrichello: "My first victory in Formula One came at the Hockenheim back in 2000 so this circuit is very special for me, even though the layout changes mean that it is a different venue now from the track that I used to enjoy so much.