Lucky Strike BAR Honda completed a comprehensive three-day, three-driver, three-car test at the Monza circuit in Italy this afternoon. The team used the opportunity of the first test following the FIA summer testing ban to focus on set-up for the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix, plus a suspension development programme and start performance investigations.

Day 1 (Wednesday) saw Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson undertaking the driving duties in chassis 01 and 03 respectively. Takuma ran through a tyre test and completed a total of 95 laps, setting the fourth fastest time of the day - a 01:21.458. Anthony spent the morning session running through an aerodynamic programme, completing 44 laps to set the third fastest time of the session - a 1:21.055. In the afternoon session, Anthony also ran a tyre programme, completing longer runs, to take his final lap tally to an impressive 112 laps. He remained in third position improving his lap time to a 1:21.049.

Jenson Button joined the test on Day 2 (Thursday) driving chassis 03. All three cars ran, with Takuma remaining in chassis 01 and Anthony moving to chassis 02. Jenson had a productive day running through a tyre programme and various test items to complete a total of 91 laps, finishing in sixth position - a 01:20.965. Takuma also began with a tyre programme and although his afternoon was hampered by the number of on-track incidents, he completed a total of 88 laps. Anthony spent the morning evaluating different tyre specifications before running through a gearbox test in the afternoon. He completed 59 laps, setting the fifth fastest time of the day - a 1:20.874.

Day 3 (Friday) saw Jenson and Anthony continuing the running. Jenson completed a tyre evaluation programme in the morning, running 57 laps to set the second fastest time - a 01:20.690. Anthony's morning was hampered by driveline issues costing him track time. In the afternoon session, Jenson completed an aerodynamic programme which took his lap total for the day to 93 laps. Anthony spent the afternoon evaluating a suspension change and testing different tyre variations. He completed a total of 63 laps and set the sixth fastest time of the day - a 01:21.127.

Jenson Button: "We had a solid couple of days' testing and completed all the work we set out to do with very little interruption, which was most important. Our tyre testing went well and the car felt good around the track. I am confident that we will be competitive in Monza next week and I'm looking forward to the race."

Takuma Sato: "It was good to get back to business at our three day test in Monza this week. It is such an important test for the Italian Grand Prix set up and everyone in the team feels good and motivated after the summer break. We achieved a lot of laps and almost completed our planned tyre programme, so I feel that it was a productive test. I hope that we are able to learn a lot from the information that we recorded over the past three days and am very much looking forward to the race here next weekend."

Anthony Davidson: "We have had a good three days at Monza this week and it has been great to get back into the testing following the summer break. We completed the majority of our planned programme, focusing particularly on tyre and aerodynamic evaluations, with some longer runs. Overall it was a positive test and the team feels hopeful of a strong performance at the Italian Grand Prix next weekend."

Andrew Alsworth, Test Team Manager: "Overall we've had a very good three-day test in Monza, covering a total of 3492 kilometres and 601 laps. We've managed to run through the complete test programme which is always very satisfying and everyone has worked very hard to achieve this. Both Jenson & Takuma have chosen their preferred tyre option for the Italian Grand Prix next weekend and worked on some early race set-ups. We have also successfully completed Honda's target mileage for the Monza race engines."

Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director, Honda Racing Development: "It's been fun to be back testing after the break, especially here at Monza, which is such a great track with a wonderful atmosphere. We've had a productive three days testing the Monza specification engine, despite a few minor problems, and are really looking forward to the challenge of the race."