Lucky Strike B·A·R Honda notched up its 5th podium finish of the 2004 season on Sunday at team partner Honda's 40th anniversary race. Jenson Button finished third in the 60-lap European Grand Prix - a position which had seemed destined for teammate Takuma Sato until his race came to a premature end just 13 laps from the finish, denying him a maiden podium.
Takuma delivered an outstanding performance throughout the race, running third until he saw an opportunity to take second-placed Rubens Barrichello down the inside at turn one. The move didn't pay off and the two had a coming together, after which Takuma was forced to pit for a new nose and front wing. He rejoined the race but just one lap later he suffered an engine failure.
Jenson lost a place off the start and battled with traffic problems for the second race in succession. He was running fourth until Takuma's retirement promoted him to the podium.
"On a day when Honda celebrates its 40th Anniversary race, with one car on the podium and everyone sharing a glass of champagne, it was interesting to note a rather sombre atmosphere amongst the team at the end of the race,” said team boss Dave Richards. “Everyone shared in Taku's disappointment at what was surely his first podium. But then Jenson has consolidated his third position, and so has the team, so not such a bad weekend after all."
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