Following a disappointing weekend last time out in Istanbul, Honda is optimistic of having regained the form it displayed a fortnight earlier still in Barcelona – when Jenson Button registered the Brackley-based outfit's maiden points of the 2008 Formula 1 campaign.

Neither Button nor Rubens Barrichello managed to crack the top ten in either qualifying or the race in Turkey, but returning to Monaco this weekend – the undisputed jewel in F1's glittering crown, and a grand prix in which both drivers have shone in the past – the team is hopeful of better fortunes. This time last year Honda achieved its first top ten qualifying showing of the season, with Barrichello starting ninth and Button tenth, and a similar performance twelve months on would do just nicely.

“It's always very exciting to be back in Monaco and out on-track for the first day of running,” enthused Button after Thursday practice, the Englishman having finished runner-up to Jarno Trulli around the narrow, tortuous streets of the Principality four years ago, coming within less than half a second of victory just one year on from the hefty practice smash that had ruled him out of contention for qualifying and the race in 2003.

“We had two good opening sessions and I had a reasonable balance right from the start, particularly on the harder tyre. The afternoon was really about getting the long runs in, getting used to the balance and making some improvements.

“We have a lot of useful information from the two sessions, however as always there is still work to do. We are not quite where we would like to be yet, and as qualifying does not take place until Saturday, I have plenty of time to work with the engineers. I'm confident that we will be in a good position for qualifying, and also well-prepared for any changes in the weather conditions.”

Barrichello also has an impressive record in Monte Carlo, after scoring Stewart Grand Prix's first rostrum finish there back in 1997 and reaching the podium with Ferrari on a further three occasions. The Brazilian – who last race overtook Riccardo Patrese's long-standing record for the most number of starts in the top flight with 257 – is hopeful of breaking his 2008 points duck this weekend.

“Our [practice] programme was focused on the set-up of the car,” the São Paolista, 36 today, recounted, “as the track improves a great deal here over the sessions. We completed a good part of our work as the car felt competitive in the afternoon, so I am happy with what we achieved. As always, we don't really know where we stand in terms of the competition yet, as everyone will have been running different set-up and fuel programmes.

“Monaco is always a very open race, where it is important to have a good qualifying session. Based on our work [on the first day], I believe we can have a good weekend; so let's hope that this is the case. The weather will no doubt play a part on Saturday and Sunday, as it looks like we will have some rain.”

The Japanese concern's head of race and test engineering Steve Clark echoed his two drivers' sentiments, though he was quick to guard against over-confidence around a track that catches out the unwary at every available opportunity.