Honda launch radical, sponsor-free livery

Race drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barichello were both on hand as Honda unveiled a radical new livery set to feature none other than an image of Earth itself. While sponsor-free to the naked eye, people can actually pledge to have their name as part of the pixels used to build that very image of Earth on the car, all for a good cause.

Here's a sample image of the car, courtesy of HondaF1.com:


And here's an exerpt from HondaF1's official press release:

Honda Racing F1 Team launches pioneering environmental concept

The Honda Racing F1 Team today announced a major new initiative for the 2007 Formula 1 season. To help raise awareness of the environmental issues facing the planet, the RA107 F1 car will simply feature a huge image of earth, in place of the advertising and sponsor logos which have featured and dominated all other F1 cars for decades.

The car’s new look is a powerful call to action for fans, sponsors, customers and members of the public to join Honda’s commitment to help address the environmental issues facing the world.

Via the websitewww.myearthdream.com, anyone who wishes, will have the opportunity to have their name on the car, make a pledge to make a lifestyle change to improve the environment and make a donation to an environmental charity. Under the concept of “our car is your car”, each name will form a tiny individual pixel which will help build the image of planet earth on the car. Each name will be visible on the website when you make the pledge or under a microscope on the car.

More news and images at Honda's official website, of course.

You can also check out major f1 news sites, like this one from f1.gpudate.net.

It'll be interesting to see these Google Earth... I'm sorry, Honda Earth cars line up alongside the more conventionally-liveried cars come Melbourne. ;)

Year-end Recaps

First off from Formula One's official site, a 2006 race by race recap, part 5 featuring the the Hungarian, Turkish and Italian Grands Prix. I'd never noticed Nick Fry's expression before (he's the one behind Jenson in the pictures). Both of them look kinda funny... hahaha. That must've been such a fun feeling having all that elation surging through your body though... hence the funny faces... hahaha. :)

Here's a short excerpt:

As the title rivals struggled, the Hungaroring meeting belonged to Honda’s Jenson Button, who came from 14th on the grid to score his maiden Formula One win. The changeable weather played a huge part in the race, but Button’s victory was totally deserved, the Briton keeping his cool in tricky conditions to finally triumph on his 113th attempt.

Also, from ITV.com, an in-depth discussion of Honda's first full season at the helm, featuring all the ups and downs of 2006. The article's title, Finishing with a Flourish" sums it up quite well though. ;)

Here's an excerpt:

The highlight, of course, was Jenson Button’s long-overdue maiden grand prix victory in Hungary, Honda’s first as a constructor since the 1960s.

Although that watershed signalled that the team had shrugged off its mid-season blues, it was above all a supreme personal achievement from Button.

In tricky wet-but-drying weather conditions that turned the race into a lottery, Jenson’s delicacy of touch came to the fore and he thoroughly earned his place on the top step of the podium.

At a stroke, the 26-year-old from Frome silenced those increasingly prevalent voices that doubted he would ever shake off his ‘nearly man’ status.

Lastly, here's a feature, again by ITV.com, of their picks for pictures of the year. Jenson Button's in there of course. :P

Ho hum... more consumerism.

Jenson fans might find this site useful.

It's got some pictures of Jense from early on in his f1 career. What makes it worth mentioning though is that it's got this ebay tracker thing at the bottom. I'm not sure what exactly is called, but it does keep track of Jenson-related things up for auction, like autographed prints and even minichamps model cars.

Meanwhile, F1Fanatic.co.uk has featured a DVD covering the 2006 season. Might make a nice christmas present for fellow formula one fans. :)

Not much else new in the news today, as Jenson's currently healing up from his rib injury. Happy weekend to everyone out there!

Barcelona testing wraps up; Button spotted

Barcelona testing has officially wrapped up, with the Toyotas having the track all to themselves on Friday. Is this something of an unfair advantage? The Toyotas were able to pull of the only sub-01:16:000 laps of the week. Then again, they were probably just running with even more revs given the clear track. Oh well.

Anyway, despite his karting injury, Jenson was still on hand for the testing period. Possibly to monitor progress and obtain feedback from the test drivers. Too bad he hasn't been able to drive yet though. I hope his ribs heal up soon, and properly at that. Honda has a full report of how their testing week went here.

Interestingly enough, ButtonGod mentioned in the forums that Hill and Mansell were both recovering from injuries during the winter prior to their championships runs. Is this a sign of good things to come? Lets hope so!

Get well soon Jense!

Oh, and before I forget, here's a picture of Honda's black car:


Nice, isn't it? I think it's started to grow on me. Hahaha. They'll still be running whites though. I wonder when Honda'll be unveiling their car for the 2007 season?