Zoom High hopes for the 2009 season

Frustrated Honda workers are now switching their focus to 2009 as the Japanese team fights to emerge from its competitive crisis.

The Brackley-based squad has struggled through two consecutive seasons at the back of the grid.

But new team boss Ross Brawn turned Honda's attention to next season some time ago. "All of our resources are going into 2009," he is quoted as saying by Motorsport Aktuell.

"It is natural for our workers to be frustrated with our situation.

"But on the other hand they can see what we are doing for next year - and that is a source of new motivation," the Briton added.

Several aspects of the 2009 package are already beginning to show at Grand Prix in 2008.

The RA108 is now one of the quickest cars off the grid, and at Fuji the team began to tinker with next year's 'traffic lights' pitstop system.

Another welcome addition for 2009 would be Fernando Alonso, who is being openly wooed by Honda.

"The door is widely open for Fernando," Chief Executive Nick Fry told La Presse. "We are waiting for him with a bouquet of flowers and champagne!" he grinned.

Asked if Honda has set a deadline for the Spaniard's decision, Fry smiled again: "The Thursday afternoon of Melbourne (2009)."

Source: GMM
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