Honda keep focus on 2009 despite podium finish

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Honda will keep their focus on making a faster car for 2009 despite Rubens Barrichello's surprise third place in Sunday's British Grand Prix.

"We haven't changed our strategy," the Formula One team's chief executive Nick Fry said after the Brazilian's morale-boosting podium in the rain at Silverstone.

"There are some aerodynamic changes for the next two races. Then after that we will do something for Monza, but I really don't think we will change our plan," he told reporters.

"That is, we are really looking at designing the car that (team principal) Ross (Brawn) wants for next year," said Fry.

"This year is about getting everything as Ross wants it in the way the team operates."

Former Ferrari technical director Brawn joined the team last November and hopes to restore their fortunes next year when rule changes could level the playing field considerably.

Fry, whose team that had only scored eight points in the previous eight races, did not expect any more appearances on the podium in normal conditions.

"On pure pace it is unlikely we will beat Ferrari or McLaren but with rule changes and with KERS (kinetic energy recovery systems), next year is our big chance and we have to make the most of that."