Turkey: Honda's Yasuhiro Wada talks

By Phil Huff
August 19 2005

Honda Racing Development President, and BAR Honda board member, Yasuhiro Wada took part in the Friday Five press conference today. With Frank Williams and Cosworth's Timothy Routsis also in attendance, not a great deal was said.

Wada-san, Rubens Barrichello has been signed by the team, what sort of effect will that have on the team and company, do you think?

As you know, Rubens is a very experienced and talented driver and has won a lot in his history. To challenge for the championship, we have to have a strong and experienced driver so Rubens is the perfect driver for us, and it was good timing to grab him.

What about this year? I suspect it’s been a frustrating year hasn’t it? What have been the feelings of Honda?

Actually I joined Formula One in April so I was not expecting to see this situation and thinking about what happened last year, I personally wanted to be a bit nearer the front but unfortunately the races have been up and down, up and down. But we haven't given up or anything. We are still trying to challenge, to win the race. That's our goal.

Can you give us an update on the V8 engine, how the progress is being made with that?

Yes. Our first prototype tested in the car in the very early stage. The purpose was to get to know the character of the V8 and that was a good test, so we accumulated all the necessary information so far and new prototypes are running on the dyno day and night. I think it's promising.