Honda reveal their 2006 racing plans

By Phil Huff
February 20 2006

Honda has today outlined it's 2006 motor sports program, setting out their goals and objectives throughout each racing discipline. In Formula One it's simple: win early, and take the world championship.

Through the Honda Racing F1 Team, the first all-Honda works team since 1968, and now Super Aguri F1, to whom Honda will be supplying engines, Honda aim to have a significant impact. The target is to pursue early victories in the 2006 Formula One season under a new system in which its Honda Racing F1 Team will operate as a single, unified all-Honda works team.

Honda has, therefore, announced a new team structure for this season, which sees more input from Japan than previously. The Brackley base sees Nick Fry as Chief Executive Officer, with Yasuhiro Wada joining as an Executive Advisor. Otmar Szafnauer also acts as Senior Advisor. On the technical side, Geoffrey Willis is Technical Director, with Yosuke Sekino as Senior Advisor. Sporting Director Gil de Ferran is advised by Honda's Shuhei Nakamoto.

At Honda Racing Development's Bracknell headquarters, Yasuhiro Wada and Otmar Szafnauer continue as President and Vice President respectively. Yosuke Sekino and Shuhei Nakamoto act as Technical and Engineering Director.

The company are also going to be investing significant funds in securing a future for home-grown talent, implementing a long-range program aimed at developing the talented drivers who will compete for success in world-class racing events.

Honda's racing activities this year include plans to begin competing in Formula Challenge Japan. Honda also plans to further develop programs under the Honda Formula Dream Project to train drivers in all categories of racing. The Project is implemented through the Suzuka Racing School, the FCJ, the All-Japan Formula 3 Championship, and Formula Nippon, with the aim of turning out skilled young racers like Takuma Sato and Kosuke Matsuura to compete in events worldwide.

"This season, we at Honda - the local factory and R&D Center - have become one and we will participate in the F1 World Championship Series as Honda Racing F1 Team," comments Hiroshi Oshima, Honda's Corporate Communications and Motor Sports Operating Officer. "Our unified staff also has a renewed spirit we will put forth our utmost effort in our aim for victory. Starting from the opening race, we will come out on the attack each and every race, so expect some exciting racing! We will also supply V8 engines and support to Super Aguri Formula 1. Having overcoming various obstacles, they will mount their F1 challenge as a Japanese team and we ask that you please extend your support to this independent team."