Autoblog

Looks like Honda Racing was pretty impressed with Marco, too. Marco Andretti, the teenage son of former CART champ and one-time F1 pilota Michael, and grandson of former F1 and CART campione, Mario, will be back in the saddle of the Honda RA 106 for a couple of days. Marco had a brief run at Jerez back in December that apparently went well enough for Honda to invite him back for more. Sporting director (and former CART champion himself) Gil de Ferran said that because the RA 106 was still available this week in Jerez, they would love to have the youngest racing Andretti take a few more laps. The IndyCar (IRL) Series 'Rookie of the Year' will be on track in Jerez on 2/7 and 2/8 while Jenson Button and Christian Klien continue to work on the new RA107 chassis.

After an impressive, if somewhat heartbreaking, second place finish in last year's Indy 500, the 19-yr-old Andretti has been seen as a highly visible talent who could potentially draw American fans into Formula 1. While his first test in the Honda RA 106 went well, Marco admitted it was too short to reach any conclusions: "I felt that I did a good job in December but on the first day you spend more time getting used to the car and familiarizing yourself with the circuit," he said. "When I get in the car this time, I am sure I will be able to hit the ground running. I'm looking forward to it."

[Sources: Paddock Talk and Guardian Unlimited]

High-res gallery of pics available by clicking image above

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]