Jump to content

Honda in Formula One

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 67.101.5.124 (talk) at 11:36, 5 December 2008 (switch to infobox Former F1 team, redo intro, mention details from IHT article). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

File:Honda Racing F1 Team Logo.png
Full nameHonda Racing F1 Team
BaseBrackley, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Noted driversRonnie Bucknum, Richie Ginther, Jo Schlesser, John Surtees, Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello
Formula One World Championship career
First entry1964 German Grand Prix
Race victories1965 Mexican Grand Prix, 1967 Italian Grand Prix, 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix
Pole positions1968 Italian Grand Prix, 2006 Australian Grand Prix
Final entry2008 Brazilian Grand Prix

Honda Racing F1 Team was a Formula One (F1) team run by Japanese car manufacturer Honda, most recently from 2005 to 2008. Honda's involvement in F1 began with the 1963 season; their withdrawal in 1968 was precipitated by the death of Honda driver Jo Schlesser during the 1968 French Grand Prix.[1] They returned in 1983 as an engine supplier, a role that ended in 1992. They returned again in 2000, providing engines for British American Racing (BAR), and by 2005 BAR had been bought out and Honda Racing was re-established, lasting until 2008 when Honda again exited the sport, unwilling to continue the Brackley-based team's $300 million budget and staff of 700 during an extended period of global economic crisis.[1]

History

Early success

Restored 1965 Honda RA272, the first Japanese car ever to win in Formula One. The car is painted in the racing colors of Japan.

Honda entered Formula One Grand Prix racing in 1963, just three years after producing their first road car. They began development of the RA271 in 1962 and startled the European-dominated Formula One garages with their all-Japanese factory team (except for American drivers Ronnie Bucknum and Richie Ginther). More startling was the fact that Honda built their own engine and chassis, something only Ferrari and BRM - of the other teams still running in 1962 - had previously done.

In only their second year of competition, Honda reached the coveted top step of the podium with Ginther's win in the RA272 at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix. For the new 3.0L rules from 1966, Honda introduced the Honda RA273. Although the RA273's engine was a well-designed, ~360bhp V12, the car was let down by a relatively heavy and unwieldy in-house chassis. Honda returned to the winner's circle in 1967 with the new Honda RA300, driven by John Surtees. This won the 1967 Italian Grand Prix in only its first F1 race. The RA300 chassis was partly designed by Lola in the UK, and this resulted in the car being nicknamed the Hondola by the motoring press. This was the last competitive car that Honda produced for F1 in the 1960s.

Withdrawal after death of Schlesser

the following year's Honda RA301 only reached the podium twice. The team's new Honda RA302 appeared in only a single race, lasting only a few laps before its fiery crash resulted in the death of driver Jo Schlesser. The death prompted Honda to withdraw from F1 at the end of the 1968 Formula One season.[1]

Honda as an engine supplier, 1983-1992

Honda RA121E V12 engine as supplied to McLaren for the 1991 season.

Honda returned to Formula One in 1983 as an engine supplier for Spirit and stayed in the sport for a decade, at various times teaming with Lotus, McLaren, Tyrrell and Williams. Honda engines were considered the ticket to Grand Prix glory due to their power, reliability, and winning track record. Honda supplied its engines to six constructor champions, as well as five driver championships (3 by Senna, 1 by Piquet, and another by Prost), before dropping out of the sport again. Honda-powered cars had won 71 Grands Prix, by the end of the 1992 season.

Aborted F1 project (Honda Racing Developments), 1999

From 1993 to 1998, Honda's only presence in F1 was as an engine supplier through its associates Mugen Motorsports, who supplied engines to Footwork, Lotus, Ligier, Prost and Jordan. Mugen-powered cars had won 4 Grands Prix by the end of the 1999 season. In 1998, Honda was seriously considering entry in Formula One as a constructor, going as far as producing an engine and hiring Harvey Postlethwaite as technical director and designer. A test car, RA099, designed by Postlethwaite and built by Dallara, was made and tested during 1999, driven by Jos Verstappen. The team impressed at test sessions, beating some more experienced and better financed teams, even if they were mostly in the midfield. At a test of this car, Postlethwaite suffered a fatal heart attack, the project was later shelved and Honda decided to merely recommit as a full works engine supplier to BAR, starting in 2000.

Partnership with British American Racing

Honda RA005E Engine as supplied to BAR for 2005.

Honda returned yet again in 2000, providing engines for BAR. They also supplied engines to Jordan Grand Prix for 2001 and 2002. This would lead to a battle for the right to use the Honda engines in the long term. In 2003, despite their better showing in the previous 2 seasons, Honda dropped Jordan Grand Prix. In mid-November 2004 Honda purchased 45% of the BAR team from British American Tobacco (BAT, the founder and owner of BAR) following BAR's best season, when they were able to achieve second place in the 2004 Formula One season, a year dominated by Michael Schumacher and Ferrari.

Return

In September 2005 Honda purchased the remaining 55% share of BAR to become the sole owner. BAT continued as title sponsor with the Lucky Strike brand in 2006, but withdrew from Formula 1 for 2007. It was decided that the team would race under the name Honda Racing F1 Team from 2006.

2006

Despite showing promise pre-season (with the RA806 being considered one of the most powerful of the new V8 engines), Honda demonstrated fairly mediocre performance at the start of the 2006 season despite a pole position at Australia. Prior to their win at Hungary, they had only accumulated a single podium finish, a third place from Jenson Button at Malaysia. The main reason for lack of form (the team was expecting to challenge for the championship) was down to reliability, with the team dropping out of contention for race victories many times. Pit-stop problems also hampered the team early on, in one case effectively ruining Jenson Button's chances for a good result and possible podium at Imola. Rubens Barrichello did not have a good season for the team, down to the fact that he had to get used to the new brakes and traction control, after moving from a very successful six year stint at Ferrari. Nevertheless Rubens had out-qualified his team-mate in the final four races.

The Honda F1 Racing 2006 livery.

Honda had a particularly poor showing at the British Grand Prix in 2006. In particular, Jenson Button was eliminated after the first portion of qualifying after the team failed to get him out for a second run. This resulted in his qualifying 19th. He then retired with an oil leak. In light of this poor form, it was announced that Geoff Willis would be adopting a factory-based role to concentrate on aerodynamics. Following the appointment of Senior Technical Director Shuhei Nakamoto over Willis' head and Mariano Alperin-Bruvera as Chief Aerodynamicist Willis' position appeared difficult, and reports indicated that he left the team.

Rubens Barrichello driving for Honda at the 2006 Brazilian GP.

At the Hungaroring, fortunes changed. Barrichello and Button qualified third and fourth, though Button had to drop ten places, following an engine change. In an incident-packed race, Jenson came from fourteenth on the grid to win his first race, with Barrichello finishing fourth. After this win, the team's performance went up noticeably, displaying consistency (if not overall performance) arguably better than championship leaders Ferrari and Renault. Button scored as many points as championship runner up Michael Schumacher in the last third of the season. Both drivers earned points finishes in almost all the remaining races (with the exception of Barrichello's 12th place finish in Japan), with the season ending high note with Button's 3rd place finish in the Brazil - less than a second behind 2nd place Fernando Alonso - after having to start from 14th on the grid.

On November 15, 2006, it was announced that long time BAR Honda and Honda test driver, Anthony Davidson would be heading to Super Aguri F1 to race alongside Takuma Sato. He was replaced by ex-Red Bull racer Christian Klien for the 2007 season.

2007

Rubens Barrichello driving the Honda RA107 at the 2007 British Grand Prix.

With tobacco sponsorship in F1 in full decline, 2007 also saw the end of British American Tobacco's sponsorship of Honda, allowing the team to choose a livery that better suited their corporate image. Unveiled on 26 February 2007, the RA107 car featured the bare minimum of corporate advertising (advertising required by the FIA), instead focusing on Honda's environmental desires, with a livery depicting the planet Earth against the black background of space. On the rear wing was the web address of environmental awareness website myearthdream.com. This site was launched February 27, 2007, immediately after the official launch of the 2007 car. Reactions to the new Honda livery were mixed, with Greenpeace accusing the team of being hypocritical, given how polluting F1 is.[2]

The team's form in pre-season testing was patchy, and Jenson Button urged the squad to improve. The RA-107's sheer lack of pace was evident at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 18th, with Button and Barrichello qualifying 14th and 17th respectively (well behind the 'satellite' Super Aguri team, whose car is effectively an update of last year's Honda, the RA-106). Barrichello finished the race in 11th place, with Button in 15th after receiving a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pit lane. The team also failed to score points in the four subsequent races, their best finish being 10th in Spain and Monaco, scored both times by Rubens Barrichello. Honda finally scored a point in the French Grand Prix, courtesy of Button's eighth place finish.

From July 2007, recognising the aerodynamic problems within the car, Honda began to recruit a new team from across the Formula 1 paddock. Chief aerodynamicist Loic Bigois and assistant Francois Martinet were signed from WilliamsF1; Jörg Zander and John Owen from BMW Sauber either later in 2007 or early in 2008.[3]

2008

Jenson Button driving the Honda RA108 at the 2008 Malaysian Grand Prix.

On July 19, 2007, it was announced that Barrichello and Button would continue the factory effort as teammates into 2008.[4] On November 12 2007, autosport.com confirmed that former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn was to join Honda as team principal. Nick Fry remained with the team as Chief Executive. [5] On the 10th January 2008, it was announced that Alexander Wurz had signed as test driver for the 2008 Formula One Season.[6] On 29 January 2008, Honda launched their 2008 race car. The "Earth Car" had a slightly different livery from its 2007 counterpart, with only part of the car containing the earth picture, and the rest with Honda's classic white paint. Button, Barrichello and Wurz were present at the launch.

Honda had another disappointing year, and by mid-season they had switched development to the 2009 season, where new regulations come into play. Despite this, Barichello managed a podium in the wet British Grand Prix with an inspired choice to full wet weather tyres at the right moment.

It was announced on 4th December 2008 that the Honda would be exiting Formula One due to the Economic Crisis and are looking to sell the team. [7]

Results

Grand Prix wins

Pole positions

Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Points WCC
1964 Honda RA271 Honda RA271E V12 D MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER AUT ITA USA MEX 0 9th
Ronnie Bucknum Ret Ret Ret
1965 Honda RA272 Honda RA272E V12 G RSA MON BEL FRA GBR NED GER ITA USA MEX 11 6th
Richie Ginther Ret 6 Ret Ret 6 14 7 1
Ronnie Bucknum Ret Ret Ret Ret 13 5
1966 Honda RA273 Honda RA273E V12 G MON BEL FRA GBR NED GER ITA USA MEX 3 8th
Richie Ginther Ret 5 Ret NC 4
Ronnie Bucknum Ret 8
1967 Honda RA273
Honda RA300 		Honda RA273E V12 F RSA MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER CAN ITA USA MEX 20 4th
John Surtees 3 Ret Ret Ret 6 4 1 Ret 4
1968 Honda RA300
Honda RA301
Honda RA302 		Honda RA273E V12
Honda RA301E V12
Honda RA302E V8 		F
G 		RSA ESP MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER CAN ITA USA MEX 14 7th
John Surtees 8 Ret Ret Ret Ret 2 5 Ret Ret Ret 5 6
Jo Schlesser Ret
David Hobbs Ret
Joakim Bonnier 5
1969 – 2005: Honda does not compete as a constructor.
2006 Honda RA106 Honda RA806E V8 M BHR MAL AUS SMR EUR ESP MON GBR CAN USA FRA GER HUN TUR ITA CHN JPN BRA 86 4th
Rubens Barrichello 15 10 7 10 5 7 4 10 Ret 6 Ret Ret 4 8 6 6 12 7
Jenson Button 4 3 10 7 Ret 6 11 Ret 9 Ret Ret 4 1 4 5 4 4 3
2007 Honda RA107 Honda RA807E V8 B AUS MAL BHR ESP MON CAN USA FRA GBR EUR HUN TUR ITA BEL JPN CHN BRA 6 8th
Jenson Button 15 12 Ret 12 11 Ret 12 8 10 Ret Ret 13 8 Ret 11 5 Ret
Rubens Barrichello 11 11 13 10 10 12 Ret 11 9 11 18 17 10 13 10 15 Ret
2008 Honda RA108 Honda R808E V8 B AUS MAL BHR ESP TUR MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN EUR BEL ITA SIN JPN CHN BRA 14 9th
Jenson Button Ret 10 Ret 6 11 11 11 Ret Ret 17 12 13 15 15 9 14 16 13
Rubens Barrichello DSQ 13 11 Ret 14 6 7 14 3 Ret 16 16 Ret 17 Ret 13 11 15

References

Specific references:

  1. ^ a b c Honda withdraws from Formula One racing from the International Herald Tribune
  2. ^ Ornstein, David (2 March 2007). "Earth Car or not, Button will emit over 50 tonnes of CO2 this season". The Guardian. Retrieved 2007-07-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ The Official Formula 1 Website
  4. ^ "Honda keep Button & Barrichello". news.bbc.co.uk. 2007-07-19. Retrieved 2007-07-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Brawn joins Honda as team principal". autosport.com. Haymarket. 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-11-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Wurz joins Honda as test & reserve driver". autosport.com. 2008-01-10.
  7. ^ "Global crisis ends Honda F1 dream". news.bbc.co.uk. 2008-12-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

General references:

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Honda F1.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Honda_in_Formula_One&oldid=256023126"