Honda RA106
Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team | |||||||||||
Notable drivers | 11. Rubens Barrichello 12. Jenson Button | ||||||||||
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Debut | 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix | ||||||||||
First win | 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
Last win | 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
Last event | 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||||
Drivers' Championships | 0 |
The Honda RA106 (originally known as the BAR 008)
History
Although the year was a significant improvement from Honda's performance in 1968 and BAR's performance in 2005, Honda was unable to challenge for the world championship after impressive winter testing form. The car was quick in qualifying but less so in the races. A performance slump mid-season also led to the team parting company with the car's designer, Geoff Willis, and he was replaced by the inexperienced Shuhei Nakamoto.
However, things improved from the German GP, culminating in Button's first F1 win in Hungary. Button was generally the stronger driver throughout the season, and it was felt that he deserved to get Honda's first win in their F1 return.
Honda finished the season strongly with a run of points finishes, culminating in a third-place finish for Button at the final race in Brazil. They also successfully introduced their 2007-spec engine before the season was over.
The team eventually finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship, with 86 points.
The RA106 formed the basis of the Super Aguri SA07.
The RA106 was also the last Honda-powered car to achieve a Grand Prix victory until Max Verstappen won the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix in the Red Bull Racing RB15.
Sponsorship and livery
Honda used 'Lucky Strike' logos in Bahrain, Malaysia, Australia, Monaco, and Japan, and '555' logos in China. In China all team members and drivers, used blue-yellow overalls and clothing throughout the weekend.
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Jenson Button driving the RA106 at the 2006 Canadian GP.
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Rubens Barrichello driving the RA106 at the 2006 Brazilian GP.
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Anthony Davidson driving the RA106 at the 2006 US GP.
Complete Formula One results
(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)
Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Points | WCC |
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2006 | Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team
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Honda V8
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M | BHR | MAL | AUS | SMR | EUR | ESP | MON | GBR | CAN | USA | FRA | GER | HUN | TUR | ITA | CHN | JPN | BRA | 86 | 4th | |
Rubens Barrichello | 15 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 10 | Ret | 6 | Ret | Ret | 4 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 7 | ||||||
Jenson Button | 4 | 3 | 10† | 7 | Ret | 6 | 11 | Ret | 9 | Ret | Ret | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
References
- ^ "Engine Honda". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ "Honda's Third Formula One Era" (PDF). F1-forecast.com. Retrieved 29 September 2022.