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Honda have invited Renault test driver Lucas Di Grassi to their evaluating test session at Circuit de Catalunya later this month. It was announced earlier in the week that Bruno Senna would also be present as the team try to decide who should race alongside Jenson Button in 2009. However, with a commanding points haul over his team mate, Rubens Barrichello must surely still be the favourite for the next season. Continue Reading

Once a developing force in Formula One, Honda have slipped ever further backwards in recent years, slowly encroaching on the back row of the grids and scoring less and less points. With a raft of changes made to the team this season, and with the pressure of Super Aguri relieved, one might have expected an upturn in performances and results. If anything though, things just went from bad to worse. Honda will want to forget about 2008, but not until we’ve had a look at their dismal year of fighting just to keep ahead of Force India. Continue Reading

Nephew of the late Ayrton Senna and GP2 runner-up Bruno Senna will get his first taste of Formula One machinery later this month when he tests for Honda at Circuit de Catalunya in November. The young driver has been linked to many teams through the course of the 2008 season, but with many seats already taken, Senna’s options for stepping up are dwindling. But the test for Honda - at a time when Rubens Barrichello’s future hangs in the air - will be a boost to him. Continue Reading

Following on from Hamilton’s win on home soil, there was much to discuss as drivers endured a difficult British Grand Prix. Mark Webber rued his early spin that cost him dearly, Fernando Alonso ran well despite losing out by remaining on the same set of tyres and David Coulthard departed his last British race early with a coming together with Sebastian Vettel. Rubens Barrichello was over-the-moon at claiming a podium for Honda and Nick Heidfeld hopes his recent lack of form is now behind him as he took second for BMW. Continue Reading

In a word, I would have to say “no”. It is a particular bug-bear of mine and it refuses to go away. What has prompted this recent suggestion that Formula One does not do enough for the fans is Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren’s CEO, who has gone on record and stated the same; he feels Formula One is too secretive and that those involved have not yet done enough to cater for all the different types of fans the sport has. His comments are interesting and worth discussing. Continue Reading

Honda’s current team principal, Ross Brawn, is a man I truly respect. He may no longer be with a championship winning team, but his work ethic, abilities and performance haven’t appeared to slip following his ship-jumping antics. Perhaps it is too early to judge his performance at Honda; we need to wait to see what happens to the team before we judge the boss. But so far, Brawn looks healthy and uncompromisingly authoritative, albeit in green trousers. Continue Reading

How Honda got 2007 so horrendously wrong is quite simply beyond belief. This time last year, most of us knew and had accepted that the RA107 wasn’t going to be a great car, but I don’t think many of us expected the junior team to wipe the floor with the factory team for most of the season. The fact that Super Aguri led Honda in the championships right up until the Chinese Grand Prix should serve as serious embarrassment for the Japanese car company. Honda absolutely have to improve and return themselves to the regular point-scorers they once were. Failure to achieve this could spell disaster for the future of the team. Continue Reading

With the much anticipated launch of the Honda RA108, their 2008 car, this morning, the drivers and team managers have been speaking to the media about what this season will hopefully bring to the Brackley-based squad and how they can turn around their fortunes following the six-point haul of 2007. Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello are excited about the new car, although it is hard to see how the team could get much worse. Continue Reading

Honda today unveiled their 2008 challenger, entitled the RA108 to continue the naming structure of their chassis. The car has been eagerly anticipated following their recent move to publicise Honda’s environmentally progressive attitude, which to a degree extends to their Formula One operation. The car is also important because it follows the disastrous RA107 that caused problems for Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello last year. Continue Reading

Honda debuted their 2008 car at Valencia this morning, dressed in white and and powering Rubens Barrichello around the Spanish circuit. The new car, which Honda hope will lift them back into the competitive zone, is quite a radical move away from the failed RA107 which only garnered six points in last years championship. Visually, the nose is much higher and the sidepods are significantly different. The rear end has also been completely altered according to the team and the front suspension has been remodelled. Continue Reading