Honda Blanked by Sponsors

[Wizzo]

Honda's new car livery for the 2007 season features no sponsor logos, the London newspaper Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday.

After the RA107 tested this winter in all black colours, the Japanese squad will reveal the definitive paint job - rumoured to be green or take images from Google Earth - on Monday at London's Natural History Museum. 
 
It will reflect Honda's "commitment to raising environmental awareness" and is the brainchild of British pop mogul Simon Fuller's company '19 Entertainment', the newspaper said.

Sponsors will still appear on the drivers' overalls and in the garages, but it is already being suggested that the no-logo approach is a measure of Honda's failure to attract a decent replacement for departed title sponsor Lucky Strike.

[davewilson]

The car’s new look is a powerful call to action for fans, sponsors, customers and members of the public to join Honda’s commitment to help address the environmental issues facing the world.

Via the websitewww.myearthdream.com, anyone who wishes, will have the opportunity to have their name on the car, make a pledge to make a lifestyle change to improve the environment and make a donation to an environmental charity. Under the concept of “our car is your car”, each name will form a tiny individual pixel which will help build the image of planet earth on the car. Each name will be visible on the website when you make the pledge or under a microscope on the car.

Universal Music, the largest music company in the world, and Gatorade are the first Global brands to partner the team in this exciting new concept. Existing partners have enthusiastically embraced the idea and all remain involved with the team for the 07 season. In addition, the team is delighted to announce that Fila, IBM, Instron, Oliver Sweeney, Perkin Elmer, Showa Denko, TUV and GF Agie Charmilles have joined the roster of team partners and suppliers.

The Honda Racing F1 Team will work closely with global environmental charities to develop Honda’s existing environmental ethos within the world’s most high profile motor-sport.

Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer, Honda Racing F1 Team
“Climate change is probably the single biggest issue facing our planet and F1 is not immune from it. On the contrary we believe that F1 with its huge global profile and cutting edge technology can play an important role in not only highlighting the issues but also playing our part in developing solutions. In addition, the FIA recognises the opportunity for F1 to play an important role in developing technologies for the benefit of society long term. For example, by 2009, devices for energy recovery will be in place on the cars.

“So we at Honda F1 are proud to dedicate our car to the environmental challenge. We believe that solutions can stem directly from engineers working on our F1 program and are working harder than ever to achieve our dreams and win the World Championship while embracing and underscoring Honda’s environmental ethos.”

“First and foremost, we are a race team and F1 is very much a team sport. We achieve our racing objectives only by working together and parallels can be drawn with the way that we must all join together to address the environmental challenge. We hope that in raising awareness and highlighting the issues we will encourage members of the public to come together and help take on the challenge of climate change”.

Yasuhiro Wada, Chairman, Honda Racing F1 Team and General Manager, Honda Motor Company
“Honda has a huge desire to challenge for this year’s 2007 F1 World Championship. We hope this year will be a successful and exciting season. Equally we intend to give something back in the form of our new environmental F1 concept, which we believe will bring something fresh and new to motor sport.”

“Honda constantly strives to be innovative in both its technology and its thinking and to sincerely respond to the demands of customers and society. Honda has always made great efforts to contribute to the preservation of the environment in its corporate activity. We hope this new initiative for Honda in F1 will help to further stimulate awareness and interest across the world for these important environmental issues.”

[Dare]

the year of the ugly cars,hope UPS stays
out off1,hate to see a brown car

[cosworth151]

I like it. It's a nice break from the rolling billboards that most of the grid have turned into. Anyway, it won't be mistaken for anything else!

I hope they still have it at the USGP. I can't wait to point a lens at it.

[romephius]

I agree, it's a great design, for a change.......but it must be said......Renault still have the ugliest car on the championship so far......

[Ian]

sorry, still prefer the black version

[Wizzo]

They just need Google Earth written on it 

[Wizzo]

From The Inquirer

ENVIRONMENTOLOGY. God's teeth, the very word's enough to make you green around the gills. Honda has rebranded its Formula One team as www.myearthdream.com, repainted the cars with a pretty picture of the World and is trumpeting its green credentials.
This may all be very laudable, but there's a slight difference between an electric car powered by the energy created by thinking nice thoughts about fluffy kittens and a 200mph racing car that's hard pressed to do more than three miles to the gallon.

Honda's site lists numerous things F1 fans can do to save the planet – turn off the tap when cleaning your teeth, switch to energy-saving lightbulbs and so on. But nowhere does it mention the environmental benefits that could be generated by pulling out of the most environmentally-unfriendly and boring 'sport' on the planet.

Come off it, Honda. If you're serious about going green, you don't run a bloody F1 team. No amount of tree planting or Save the Badger campaigning can compensate for the damage your F1 team will cause to the environment.

Nice try, but no (low tar) cigar