Honda Racing F1 can win in Bahrain!

By Phil Huff
March 8 2006

Honda Racing F1 can win the first Grand Prix of the season, in Bahrain this Sunday, at least according to the teams third driver Anthony Davidson.

"We hit the ground running in testing this year and we've continued that momentum," explained Anthony to autosport.com. "We've been one of the few teams to test in Bahrain and I would like to think that it was worthwhile and we can go there challenging for the win. It is going to be close, for sure, and you can never underestimate the competition.

"It is never easy but if we can get up there near the front we have got a chance. I sincerely believe that."

The winter testing season has seen Honda Racing F1 consistently towards the top of the time sheets, with Anthony himself setting a new record at Valencia last week, on the teams final lap before Bahrain. While fast, the RA106 has also been remarkably reliable, with just a small number of minor problems cropping up.

The testing sessions have shown Honda to be close to world champions Renault, with both teams performing consistently in long runs, while McLaren are also fast, if somewhat fragile. Ferrari, soundly beaten by Honda at the recent Bahrain test, are convinced that they have resolved their issues, leaving a probable four way fight for the podium.

However, Honda Racing F1 have one advantage over the other teams - following the teams somewhat lacklustre performance in 2005, Honda can now use Anthony Davidson and a third RA106 on the Friday's of each race, with the Englishman able to collect valuable tyre and setup data before race drivers Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button head out on track.

"We have definitely got one of the fastest Friday cars and that is going to be crucial to help out with set-up and tyre selection," added Davidson. "It is really going to be an important year to have a third car out there and hopefully we can continue the rate of development we've seen this winter and carry it well into the year."

The Bahrain Grand Prix starts on Sunday morning, with UK readers able to watch the race start at 11:30am.