Real Fans: Your views on Honda Racing F1 in 2006
By Phil Huff
February 24 2006
We asked what you thought about Honda Racing F1's chances in 2006, and your wider thoughts on Formula One, and there's certainly some interesting opinions! Here we present your thoughts and comments in another of our irregular Real Fans features.
This is just a selection of your comments, which broadly reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far. If you want to add your comments, just email RealFans@RealHondaF1.com now.
All the previous Real Fans sections can be found right here.
Steffen Damgaard, Bornholm, Denmark.
Honda Racing F1 will for sure be one of the top 3 contenders in the upcoming F1 season! Building on the package from last year - engine and chassis, which worked very well - the coming of Rubens will only add to the team's experience and ability to push even further. We all know that Jenson is a top driver - and Rubens has won before, and is even more hungry now, so I'm 100% confident that Honda will get a win in 2006.
Alexandros Karypidis, Volos, Greece.
Honda seem to have done a nice job preparing for the 2006 season. In view of the recent winter testing times, the press, as well as world champions Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, are pointing to Honda as a championship contender. I believe the team is definitely going to get its first wins (plural) this year.
I have doubts however for going as far as to win the drivers championship. On the other hand, due to our excellent driver line up, it is possible that Honda might win the constructor's.
Lael, USA.
Honda definitely have a shot at winning races in 2006, and we seem very reliable which is a good thing because we can benefit from others misfortunes. A championship at this moment is a little out of the picture as I believe Ferrari and Renault will be stronger.
The thing about Michelin's withdrawal at the end of 2006 is that they might not work as hard as they did last season and we might see Bridgestone being stronger.
Edwin Gunawan, Indonesia.
I think Jenson is the best Honda driver - we'll win if Jenson can do his best. With the new Honda power, I think we can win the Grand Prix title this year.
I hope.
Matt Jones, UK.
I think the RA106 will be a solid point scoring car and maybe hand us our maiden win at the best. To say we can challenge for anything else would be very optimistic after the 2005 season we had. We have to take into account that we did over achieve in 2004 and despite the success we had it was not a true reading of where the team stood.
As for our driver line up I consider it as a very strong one. Rubens is a proven race winner and has helped the most dominant team of recent years to its success, while Jensen is a very consistent points scorer and also proves he is a huge asset in order for us to challenge for the WCC.
The question that still remains is can either of these drivers challenge for the WDC? Its a difficult one to take a stab and but I do believe our better chance is Jensen simply because I think he is more consistent.
I think Rubens did struggle last season in single lap qualifying but I think that was due to his tyres. Jensen was pretty solid in the old qualifying format so hopefully he can carry that over to the new format and continue with his good form. I don't think it will really help or hinder many teams at the end of it, we all have to play by the same rules.
Terry MacDonald, New Zealand.
Honda will definitely be vying for podiums this year. With two top flight drivers, a very good engine and a great chassis, this year is looking very promising. Along with Renault and Ferrari, Honda look to be the pick of the bunch.
Honda have been working hard to increase the underlying pace of the chassis, and working on bettering the aerodynamic package. Both objectives seem to have been met, at least initially, shown by top three times in most of the test session so far this pre-season.
It is safe to say that Honda is in a stronger position in 2006 than it was even in 2004. Expect great things.
Khurram Akhtar, Germany.
I think Honda has done a terrific job with the new RA106. Obviously there must be a potential for further improvements, but the base seems to be good. The tests until now were quite promising, but the other teams will develop their cars too, so improvements during the season will be the major factor for the championship - hopefully the new wind tunnel will be ready soon.
I'm very happy with the combination of drivers. Button, Barrichello and Davidson is definitely the strongest drivers combination. Both Button (1st win due) and Barrichello (new start after Ferrari era) are very experienced and hungry for wins. Davidson himself want a drivers contract and wants to prove himself.
Honda will definitely win races this year.
Jerry Penn, USA.
Dear Sirs of the Honda F1 Team, please have the guts to start your own racing series with the other manufacturers. There are millions of fans that will follow the GPWC championship. No Guts No Glory!
Mark Djohan, Indonesia.
The new Honda RA106 will win many races in 2006, as Rubens and Jenson make the best pair in F1.
We should not be worried about Michelin's departure, because Bridgestone will take time to recovery, to make a good tyre again, while Michelin already know how to do that.
This year, with the RA106, I believe Honda could win many races, and the drivers and constructor championship.
Kyle Benton, UK.
Ruben Barrichello will be the star of the season - after being 2nd best to Schumacher he can show what he's really worth. Honda have the best team because both drivers are equal, so if one does well the other will be determined to win next time. This will benefit Honda all season long.
Michelin a big disappointment to the team after just getting it sorted out so, all level then.
We can definitely push for a win from the word go, maybe a hint of that title too. Lets hope.
Good luck boys.