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Honda aim to challenge for F1 title in 2006
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-23 09:09
LONDON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Honda intend to be fighting for the Formula One
title next year after assuming complete control of winless BAR.
"This
year's priority was for Honda to get back to winning races but, unfortunately,
we didn't fulfil that objective," said Honda Racing Development President
Yasuhiro Wada on Tuesday.
"Next year we'd like to start challenging for the championship and we would
like to start winning as soon as possible. That's what we'll be pushing for in
2006," he told the Honda website. BAR finished the season sixth overall after
ending 2004 as runners-up to Ferrari.
The Japanese carmaker decided to raise its stake in BAR, who failed to win a
race in seven seasons, from 45 percent to 100 this year and will rename the team
for the 2006 campaign.
Briton Jenson Button and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, the latter a race
winner signed from former champions Ferrari, will be their drivers.
Wada said the takeover would mean closer coordination between the technical
teams in Britain and Japan and more resources.
"Last season was a bit disappointing and it's fair to say that we struggled
to overcome the 2005 aerodynamic regulations and never managed to get the best
out of our Michelin tyres," said Wada.
"But by the end of the season our engine was really strong and very reliable.
There's no doubt we have the capability to win, we just have to harness all
potential areas for improvement."
Formula One is moving from V10 engines to V8s next year and Wada hoped that
would be a big opportunity for Honda.
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