Honda RA106 F1

Constructor:	Honda
Years	2006
Designer:	Geoff Willis
Predecessor:	BAR 007
Successor:	Honda RA107
Engine:	Honda RA806E V8
Mass:	605 kg
Tire:	Michelin
Petrol:	ENEOS

The Honda RA106 was the Formula 1 racing cars from Honda for the season 2006 , which took part in all 18 races of the season. Honda had taken over the long-standing customer team BAR before the start of the season . It was Honda's first car since 1968 .

History

Unlike BAR in previous years, Honda developed a completely new vehicle for the 2006 season. It was equipped with its own engine RA106E V8, which had a cylinder bank angle of 90 °. The gasoline supplied Nippon Oil and Elf Aquitaine . The contract with the French tire supplier Michelin was maintained after the acquisition and equipped the vehicle with tires from this manufacturer. The gearbox used was a factory-fitted sequential seven-speed gearbox. The designer of the vehicle was Geoff Willis .

The basic color of the Honda RA106 was white with black front and rear wings as well as red air scoop and nose side. Dominant was the main sponsor Lucky Strike , who advertised extensively on the side boxes, the front wing and the nose. In countries where tobacco advertising was banned, the Lucky Strike logo was replaced by a circle of different red lines. Also advertised Honda itself on engine cover and rear wing. Other sponsors were Intercond , ENEOS and Michelin.

Jenson Button remained in the team. Rubens Barrichello , previously a regular driver at Ferrari , was hired as a newcomer to Takuma Sato . Third driver was Anthony Davidson . Marco Andretti , Adam Carroll , Danilo Dirani , James Rossiter and Alan van der Merwe were employed as test drivers .

The less reliable car moved at the beginning of the season in the rear midfield. Particularly disappointing was an engine failure of the previously placed fourth button at the Australian Grand Prix in the last corner before the finish. The middle of the season hit a low point and the vehicles fell out in rows. At the end of the season, the situation stabilized, however, the vehicles now drove consistently in the front midfield. Best result of the season was the victory of Button at the Hungarian Grand Prix . However, Barrichello disappointed and reached as the best result of the season two fourth places. With a win, three podiums and 86 points Honda reached the fourth place in the constructors' championship.