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We just told you about Marco Andretti getting a test with Honda's F1 team, making him the third Andretti to take the wheel in a Formula 1 car. That was in a test last month in Jerez. Now the team has had its first full test of the new 2007 RA 107 at Catalunya and has issued a statement saying they are ready for the new season. OK, what did you expect them to say? The team is playing up its collaboration between the Japanese parent company's engineers and the Formula One engineering stronghold in England. They also are looking forward to a great year from drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.
The car itself was still sporting its black and white test colors, as they're waiting to reveal the new sponsor livery until next month. Improved aerodynamic efficiency, meeting new crash safety regulations, and cutting the overall weight of the car have been the most significant challenges. Honda has also put a lot of work into optimizing the suspension to work better with the Bridgestones. Testing on the RA107 will continue right up to the first race of the season in Melbourne on 18 March.
[Source: Honda Racing]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
naggs @ Jan 25th 2007 9:10PM
"Improved aerodynamic efficiency, meeting new crash safety regulations, and cutting the overall weight of the car have been the most significant challenges."
i thought that the minimum spec weight went up, how could this years car weigh less?
dejal @ Jan 25th 2007 9:15PM
It's possible that last years car was a overweight pig and the new design is lighter than last year even though the minimum weight is more
naggs @ Jan 25th 2007 9:20PM
i find it hard to believe that last years car was overweight, i believe that all teams us balast placed as low in the car as possible to bring the weight up to the minimum.
Bob-o @ Jan 25th 2007 9:48PM
Wasn't Honda caught cheating by ballasting their car using fuel?
Anyways, why'd Autoblog only pick the Honda press release? BMW, McLaren, Ferrari, Renault, and Toyota all released new liveries too. The Newey designed RedBull chassis has pics floating out there too.
naggs @ Jan 25th 2007 10:26PM
they have posted info on toyota ferrari and renault already
David @ Jan 25th 2007 10:27PM
In regards to to losing weight:
All current F1 cars are underweight...the more underweight the better...then they add ballasts on it to bring it up to min weight.
Why do that? If you can place the weight real low, you get a low center of gravity. Also you can place the weight forward and back to tune the car's balance.
fizzanpop @ Jan 26th 2007 1:58AM
Honda had to work on the vehicle weight because Jenson's been hitting the pies over the winter and 75% of the ballast weight is infact his fat arse.
Galley @ Jan 26th 2007 10:12AM
All black? I prefer BAR's white, tan and red livery.
ramsport47 @ Jan 26th 2007 12:08PM
is that little yellow handle the pull stick to make it go...like the SST cars when I was a kid?
G @ Jan 26th 2007 11:23PM
Definitely the worst car company out their.
Mikitos @ Jan 28th 2007 12:17PM
I heard that Honda is aiming quite high! And lots of people expect them to win much more than just a single race! What do you think about that?!