Honda launches with two new cars!

The Honda Racing F1 team unveiled its challenger for the 2006 F1 season in Spain this morning with the new driver line-up of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.

As an indication of Honda's commitment to the new challenge and the strength of its manufacturing operation, the team delivered not one, but two identical RA106 race cars to the launch to enable Barrichello and Button to start testing at exactly the same time.

It is the first F1 car launched by a Honda works team since 1968.

"The 2006 F1 season means a great deal to all of us at Honda as it marks the beginning of a new adventure and confirms an even greater commitment to F1," said president of Honda Racing Development, Yasuhiro Wada.

"The launch today of the first F1 chassis since 1968 to carry the Honda name is a particularly significant moment. It is up to all the engineers involved in the programme, at the F1 Operations Centre in Brackley, HRD in Bracknell and Honda R&D in Japan to rise to the challenge of F1 and show the world what Honda can do as a fully integrated force. The development of a new challenging spirit and a desire to work together to challenge for wins is at the core of Honda's philosophy. Honda has always exposed its engineers to the highest competition in racing as it uniquely prepares them for the challenges that lie ahead. We are all excited about the season to come and up for the fight!"

The new cars and their RA806E engines are the product, according to the outfit, of 'a single, unified team' which combines the resources of the Honda Racing F1 team operations centre in Brackley, Honda Racing Development's engine base in Bracknell and Honda R&D in Tochigi, Japan.

The RA106 sported its new base canvas of Honda Racing White, a colour which has been synonymous with the Honda motorsport identity since the company's F1 debut in 1964. The rest of the livery has the more familiar feel of the Lucky Strike brand, which remains as title sponsor for the 2006 season.