 Rubens Barrichello driving the RA106 at theBrazilian Grand Prix | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Honda | ||||||||||
| Designers | Geoff Willis(Technical Director) Gary Savage(Deputy Technical Director) Kevin Taylor(Chief Designer) Willem Toet(Chief Engineer, Aerodynamics and Design) Mark Ellis(Chief Engineer, Vehicle Performance) Ian Wright(Chief Engineer, Vehicle Dynamics) Russell Cooley(Chief Engineer, Transmission and Mechanical) Simon Lacey(Head of Aerodynamics) Mariano Alperin(Chief Aerodynamicist) Kazuo Sakurahara(Engine Project Leader) | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | BAR 007 - BAR Engineering Honda RA301 - Honda branded Honda RA302 - Honda branded | ||||||||||
| Successor | RA107 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications[citation needed] | |||||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon fibre and honeycombcomposite structure | ||||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Wishbone and pushrod activatedtorsion springs and rockers; mechanicalanti-roll bar | ||||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Wishbone and pushrod activated torsion springs and rockers; mechanical anti-roll bar | ||||||||||
| Length | 4,675 mm (184.1 in) | ||||||||||
| Width | 1,800 mm (70.9 in) | ||||||||||
| Height | 950 mm (37.4 in) | ||||||||||
| Axle track | Front : 1,460 mm (57.5 in) Rear : 1,420 mm (55.9 in) | ||||||||||
| Wheelbase | 3,145 mm (123.8 in) | ||||||||||
| Engine | Honda RA806E 2,395 cc (146.2 cu in)V8 (90°).Naturally-aspirated,mid-mounted. | ||||||||||
| Transmission | Honda 7 forward speeds + 1 reversesemi-automatic | ||||||||||
| Power | 650-775 hp @ 19,500 rpm[1] | ||||||||||
| Fuel | ENEOS | ||||||||||
| Lubricants | ENEOS | ||||||||||
| Brakes | Caliper :alcon Pad and Disc :Brembo /Hitco | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Michelin BBS Wheels | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | 11. Rubens Barrichello12.  Jenson Button | ||||||||||
| Debut | 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| First win | 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last win | 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||||
TheHonda RA106 (originally known as theBAR 008)[2] was the car with which theHonda team competed in the2006Formula One season. It was driven byRubens Barrichello, who joined fromFerrari, andJenson Button, who had spent three seasons with the team asBritish American Racing. The year marked the first time Honda had competed as a full team since1968; since then it had only competed as an engine supplier until taking over BAR completely in late2005. The team's former ownersBritish American Tobacco continued to sponsor the team through theLucky Strike and555 brands.
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 inexperiencedShuhei Nakamoto.
However, things improved from theGerman GP, culminating in Button's first F1 win inHungary. 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 inBrazil. They also successfully introduced their2007-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 theSuper Aguri SA07.
The RA106 was also the last Honda-powered car to achieve a Grand Prix victory untilMax Verstappen won the2019 Austrian Grand Prix in theRed Bull Racing RB15.
Honda used theLucky Strike logos, except in countries that had a ban on tobacco advertising (San Marino, European, Spanish, British, Canadian, United States, French, German, Hungarian, Turkish, Italian and Brazilian Grands Prix). In China, it had555 logos on the car in place of Lucky Strike.
In Turkey, the car ran with a special livery that coincided with their collaboration withPetrol Ofisi.
Jenson Button wore a special helmet at theBritish Grand Prix to cheer on theEngland team at the2006 FIFA World Cup in Berlin. A red and white St. George's Cross has been added to the helmet, with the word "England" written through it.[3]
(key) (results inbold 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team | HondaV8 | 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 |
