Honda Racing F1 Team’s RA108 and new-look livery displayed at Geneva

The launch of the new 2008 season Honda RA108 was back at the end of January. However, as important as a new F1 car design can be to the teams prospective future success, it could be argued that it’s livery is just as important. The livery is more than the way the car looks; it’s the way the car looks in the eyes of the millions of viewers around the globe as it is circulating around the track. One word; Advertising. Sponsors pay an absolute fortune to place their mottos, emblems or company names on a competitive Formula One car. 

Thing is since the 2007 season, Honda have not had any external sponsors on their race cars and 2008 appears to the same deal. Essentially, the theme to the livery is the team’s “earthdreams” program. Honda says it “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.”

The big news in the team is the signing of former Ferrari Technical Director, Ross Brawn. Brawn took a Sabbatical in 2007 but has been signed by Honda for the 2008 season as Team Principle. The driver line up remains the same with Button and Barrichello signed for a third successive season meaning Honda will have the most experienced drivers in the 2008 season.

Engines are similar to last years 2.4L V8. This year expect 19,000rpm and over 700ps. The 59th FIA Formula One World Championship season starts on the 16th of March in Melbourne Australia.

Press Release

NEW CAR, NEW CHALLENGE
The Honda Racing F1 Team’s RA108 and new-look livery

At the launch of the new Honda RA108 on the 29 January, 2008, 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.

RA108 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION



CHASSIS
Construction Moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension Wishbone & pushrod-activated torsion springs & rockers
Dampers Showa
Wheels BBS forged magnesium
Tyres Bridgestone Potenza
Brakes Alcon calipers
Brake discs/pads Carbon/Carbon
Steering Honda power assisted Rack & Pinion
Steering wheel Honda carbon fibre construction
Electronics FIA standard ECU & FIA homologated electronic & electrical system


TRANSMISSION
Gearbox Carbon composite maincase: 7-speed unit, Honda internals
Gear selection Sequential, semi-automatic, hydraulic activation
Clutch Carbon plate


DIMENSIONS
Overall length 4700mm
Overall height 950mm
Overall width 1800mm


ENGINE
Name Honda RA808E
Displacement 2.4 litres
Configuration V8 - naturally aspirated
Vee angle 90 degrees
Maximum power More than 700 ps
Maximum revs 19,000 rpm
Valve train 4 valves per cylinder - pneumatic valve system
Throttle system Electronic hydraulically-operated system
Spark Plugs NGK
Oil ENEOS