'Pioneering' Honda concept to run without sponsors

Honda Racing F1's much-hyped 'green' initiative will see its RA107 run without the traditional branding from sponsors as the tea team attempts to raise awareness of the environmental issues facing Planet Earth.

Although some names had been expected to feature on the car, it will instead be clad only in an image of the globe, as revealed on Crash.net yesterday [Sunday]. According to the team, the car's new look should act as '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'. The race team has vowed to work closely with global environmental charities to develop Honda's existing 'green' ethos within motorsport.

"Honda has a huge desire to challenge for this year's 2007 world championship, and we hope this year will be a successful and exciting season, but, equally we intend to give something back in the form of our new environmental F1 concept, which we believe will bring something fresh and new to motorsport," commented team chairman Yasuhiro Wada.

"Honda constantly strives to be innovative in both its technology and its thinking and to sincerely respond to the demands of customers and society. Honda has always made great efforts to contribute to the preservation of the environment in its corporate activity. We hope this new initiative for Honda in F1 will help to further stimulate awareness and interest across the world for these important environmental issues."

The RA107s, to be driven by Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello in 2007, will carry the web address www.myearthdream.com, visitors to which will have the
opportunity to have their name on the car, make a pledge to 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 Earth on the car. Each name will be visible on the website
when you make the pledge or under a microscope on the car.

Universal Music, the largest music company in the world, and drinks brand Gatorade are the first new names to sign up to the initiative, while the team's existing partners have also embraced the idea and agreed to remain involved for the 2007 season. In addition, Fila, IBM, Instron, Oliver Sweeney, Perkin Elmer, Showa Denko, TUV and GF Agie Charmilles have all joined Honda's roster of partners and suppliers for the coming season.