March 3, 2003-Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that it will continue its partnership with the British American Racing (B·A·R) F1 team this year, including both the supply of engines and joint chassis development, to field a 2-car team in the 2003 F1 World Championship.
With the Honda-B·A·R partnership entering its fourth year, Honda R&D is bolstering its engine and chassis development capabilities at its Tochigi Research Center, with the goal of significantly improving competitiveness and further accelerating chassis development-one of Honda's major objectives in this, its third era of F1 participation.
As a further expression of its strong commitment toward F1 racing, this year Honda has assumed the role of main sponsor for the B·A·R team for the first time.
Key Honda R&D Personnel
Takao Kiuchi, Head of Worldwide Automobile Racing, F1 Project Leader, Honda R&D Ken Hashimoto, Head of Chassis Technology Development, Honda R&D
Honda Racing Development Ltd. (HRD) Overview
| President : | Shoichi Tanaka | ||||||
| Engineering Director : | Shuhei Nakamoto | ||||||
| Location : | Bracknell, Berkshire, U.K. | ||||||
| Activities : | The front-line representative for F1 racing activities:
|
2003 Honda F1 Engine Specifications
| Model : | Honda RA003E | |
| Type : | 3.0L V10, normally aspirated | |
| Improvements : | Significant weight and size reduction resulting in lower center of gravity and greater concentration of mass at center of vehicle. |
Honda RA003E
2003 Chassis Specifications
| Type : | B・A・R Honda 005 | |
| Improvements : | A complete reconsideration of engineering criteria resulting in a more compact, lightweight design with lower center of gravity and improved aerodynamic performance. |
LUCKY STRIKE B·A·R Honda Overviews
| Team Principal : | David Richards | |
| Technical Director : | Geoff Willis | |
| Drivers : | Jacques Villeneuve Jenson Button |
|
| Third Driver : | Takuma Sato | |
| Test Driver : | Anthony Davidson |
Comment from Takeo Fukui, Senior Managing Director, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
“Final testing has been completed on the new racing specifications, and we are feeling confident. We look forward to finally being a regular fixture on the winner’s podium this season. We thank our supporters for their continued confidence.”