Honda F1 must take risks, urges Shuhei Nakamoto

By Phil Huff
January 10 2007

Honda Racing F1 are to take more risks in their attempts to take the both the F1 constructors and drivers titles, even if it increases the chance of failure.

Senior technical director Shuhei Nakamoto has told staff not to be afraid of making mistakes, just as long as the theory behind any new project stacks up. The new approach was started when Nakamoto took on his role in the summer and, possibly coincidentally, results improved almost instantly.

"We've flattened the organisation so everyone working in each department can talk freely about their ideas and opinions," Nakamoto told Autosport. "As long as an idea is theoretically correct and considered useful, we'll discuss it - even if it comes from a less experienced member of staff. But they have to take responsibility for the ideas they come up with - that's the Honda way."

"Another thing I always tell the young staff is that they shouldn't be afraid of making mistakes," he added. "The failures will eventually improve our know-how. The important thing is to use that know-how correctly to make the next step forward. I kept telling them this."