The Honda Racing F1 Team unveils the RA108 and a new-look
livery
NEW CAR, NEW CHALLENGE
 The
official presentation of the Honda Racing F1 Team's 2008 challenger
took place today at the team's operational headquarters in
Brackley, UK.
The launch followed an initial shakedown period with the
all-new RA108 in Valencia last week, in which the team's race
driver line-up of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button put
evaluation mileage on the car in preparation for the start
of its pre-season testing programme later this week. The role
of unveiling the RA108 in the team's 2008 livery today was
assigned to new Test and Reserve Driver Alex Wurz. At the
wheel of the car for the very first time, Alex drove the RA108
through the pitlane themed auditorium in front of the assembled
crowd of 300 international media and guests.
Honda laid out its plans for 2008 and the longer-term, reaffirming
its commitment to the sport and underlining the determination
of a revitalised team to realise its ambitions. The team's
2008 challenge sees a substantial evolution in three key areas,
the most fundamental of which is a directional step change
in the car design philosophy. The entire process from concept
to launch has been re-evaluated. The new car is a considered
response to the challenges of 2007, benefiting from the combined
resources of the Honda Racing F1 Team's three bases in Brackley
and Bracknell in the UK and the Honda R&D centre at Tochigi
in Japan.
The RA108 is also the product of a strengthened engineering
team, combining the depth of experience of the existing resource
with new and wide-ranging expertise in key areas under the
leadership of new Team Principal Ross Brawn. In turn the team
will benefit from the continuity provided by the race driver
pairing of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello for a third
successive season. Combined with the development talents of
Test and Reserve Driver Alex Wurz, Honda will field the most
experienced driver line-up on the Formula One grid.
The launch of the RA108 and its livery also saw the introduction
of the team's earthdreams programme. earthdreams is the evolution
of the award winning myearthdream concept launched in 2007
and represents the next stage of Honda's long term commitment
to harnessing the passion of Formula One and its partners
to provide support and investment for good causes through
a unique cause related marketing initiative.
Moving the focus from raising environmental awareness to
action, the Honda Racing F1 Team and its partners have committed
$1.2 million, with $700,000 already allocated. The first of
the earthdreams supported projects was also announced today.
The team paid particular tribute to its partner Seiko (www.seikowatches.com)
who have been generous supporters of the earthdreams initiative.
Ross Brawn, Team Principal
"The RA108 car is a wholly different concept to its
predecessors, in terms of its aerodynamic layout and mechanical
structure. The design philosophy has been developed to allow
greater scope for aerodynamic packaging and exploitation,
particularly to facilitate the introduction of performance
upgrades through the season.
"The focus has been on attaining a high level of aerodynamic
efficiency with stability and this is reflected in the way
that the chassis has been revised to interact with the different
aerodynamic features and the suspension. This approach should
allow more potential for further developments to take place,
the first of which will be for Melbourne when we will introduce
a substantially revised aerodynamic package compared with
the car we have launched today.
"The Honda RA808E engine is subject to the FIA engine
homologation regulations and therefore the vast majority of
engine components remain unchanged. The exhaust geometry and
air box have changed to suit the RA108 aerodynamic package.
An additional development is the FIA requirement that the
fuel mix should now contain 5.75% biofuel - an initiative
that Honda fully supports.
"Two of the most significant regulation changes are in
the areas of electronics and gearbox. The implementation of
an FIA standard electronic control unit and software has meant
hard work during the winter tests to integrate the new system
with the RA108's engine, gearbox and chassis systems. With
traction control and other driver aids removed from the car
there will be a greater emphasis on driver skill.
"The RA108 carbon composite gearbox has been designed
to meet the new regulations which require each gearbox to
complete four Grands Prix. We have conducted extensive running
on a test bed to optimise the gearbox design and ensure that
we can be confident of meeting the levels of reliability required.
"The design of the RA108 ensures that all key areas comply
with the FIA safety regulations and crash test requirements
for the impact structures, such as the nose, monocoque and
rear impact structure. We have also increased the protection
for the driver around the headrest area."
"Our target for 2008 is to get back to the position occupied
during the second half of the 2006 season when Honda fought
for points at every race. Only then will we have a stable
base from which to target more ambitious results.
"Since joining Honda my focus has been on evaluating
the resources and practices of the operation and understanding
how we can progress. I commend the entire team on the effort
and commitment they have shown after a disappointing 2007.
We will have to wait and see how much of a performance step
has been achieved with this car, but in terms of people and
resources, all the right ingredients are in place with which
to move the Honda Racing F1 Team forward in pursuit of its
racing ambitions."
Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer
"Following a year where we failed to live up to our
own expectations, the team has made a number of key appointments
in the second half of 2007 to strengthen our existing resource
as well as bringing on board new knowledge and different experience.
In particular, the arrival of Ross in the position of Team
Principal has brought new impetus and confidence to the whole
organisation. This time last year saw the beginning of a downward
curve for us and there is a determined sense that this year
we are back on track. We have done everything possible to
honestly address the issues, which we have to view as valuable
experiences which have helped to put us in better shape for
this year and for the years ahead. Every area, from technical
and aerodynamics to marketing, has been strengthened with
world class resource. The disappointments of 2007 power our
desire to do well in 2008.
"I am very pleased for our whole team that their hard
work has resulted in the RA108 meeting all its design targets
on paper. We now need to work hard between now and Melbourne
to make sure that those translate into good track performance
and to discover whether these targets are sufficiently high
compared with the achievements of our competitors.
"Today also sees the introduction of earthdreams, a
global cause related marketing programme inspired by the Honda
Racing F1 Team and evolved from the 2007 "myearthdream"
initiative. earthdreams' mission is to harness the power of
dreams by supporting, investing in and empowering inspirational
projects that have a positive impact on the world around them
which will be supported by Honda and its partners. We have
already informed projects that have been supported by earthdreams
so far and we look forward to working with existing and new
partners to contribute to those good causes. In particular
I would like to thank Seiko on behalf of the recipients for
their generous contributions and support."
Hiroshi Oshima, Operating Officer, Honda Motor Co.,
Ltd (Corporate Communications, Motor Sports)
"It gives me great pleasure to see the launch of the
Honda RA108 car. We have put a difficult 2007 firmly behind
us and, in the spirit of Honda, we are firmly focused on the
challenge of 2008 and working hard towards our longer-term
championship ambitions. Over the past few months I have been
very pleased to see the steps which have been taken to strengthen
the engineering side of our operation and gain maximum benefit
from our Honda R&D facility to the benefit of the F1 team.
The new earthdreams livery represents the fusion of the many
years of motor sports heritage that is part of Honda's DNA
and the marketing programme we announced last year. Our objective
is to reward the great many Honda fans all over the world
with an improved performance this season and continue the
pursuit of our racing dream."
Jenson Button, Race Driver, Car No 16
"My motivation is to be with a team that is setting
its sights on performing at the highest level and in a car
that is competitive and I have faith in Honda for the period
that lies ahead. I want to win races and I want to be in contention
to be world champion. The past five years have been challenging
and last year was disappointing, but the team has recognised
this and set about tackling the areas that have prevented
us from achieving best performance. Everyone at the Honda
Racing F1 Team has worked incredibly hard over the winter
to develop the RA108 ready for the launch today. The changes
that we have made to the team over the last six months of
2007 were exactly what the team needed to take us forward
this year and I am confident that we have the right people,
along with great support and resources from Honda, to achieve
our targets."
Rubens Barrichello, Race Driver, Car No 17
"I had the opportunity to drive the RA108 for the first
time in Valencia last week and although I ran for just a few
laps in the new car, we were able to complete the planned
activity. It is too soon to reach any conclusions about the
car's handling and performance, but I am looking forward to
the Barcelona test this coming weekend and really getting
to grips with the development of the RA108. This year will
be my 16th season in Formula One and my third season with
the Honda Racing F1 Team, but my love of the sport and my
enthusiasm is undiminished. In fact, this year I will become
the most experienced Grand Prix racer of all time, which is
something that I am very proud of. We have a very strong development
base this year with Alex Wurz joining the team and I am really
pleased that he will be able to input his experience and knowledge
into the RA108."
Alex Wurz, Test & Reserve Driver
"I have enjoyed getting to know the Honda Racing F1
Team over the past few weeks and took part in my first test
with the team at Valencia last week with an acclimatisation
programme in the RA107. So far I have only driven the RA108
for a few short metres at the launch event today so I'm looking
forward to the opportunity to try out the new car later this
week in Barcelona, when I will really be able to start contributing
to the development programme. All three of my previous teams
have been world championship winners and I am very proud that
I have the opportunity to play a role in the pursuit of Honda's
ambitions."
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