Honda RA108

Honda RA108
Category Formula One
Constructor Honda
Designer(s) Japan Shuhei Nakamoto
(Deputy MD [Technical])
Germany Jörg Zander
(Deputy Technical Director)
France Loic Bigois
(Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor RA107
Technical specifications
Chassis Moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque
Suspension (front) Double wishbone with pushrod-activated torsion springs and rockers, Showa dampers
Suspension (rear) Double wishbone with pushrod-activated torsion springs and rockers, Showa dampers
Engine Honda RA808E 2.4L 90° V8, 19,000 RPM rev limited naturally aspirated, mid-mounted
Transmission Honda Carbon composite maincase, 7-speed, Honda internals sequential semi-automatic hydraulic activation
Fuel ? (5.75% bio fuel)
Lubricants ENEOS
Tyres Bridgestone Potenza
BBS Forged Magnesium Wheels
Competition history
Notable entrants Honda Racing F1 Team
Notable drivers 16. United Kingdom Jenson Button
17. Brazil Rubens Barrichello
Debut 2008 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
180100

The Honda RA108 was the Formula One racing car with which Honda Racing F1 contested the 2008 Formula One season.

Launch

An RA108 driven by Rubens Barrichello at Valencia, January 23rd 2008.

The car was unveiled at a test in Valencia on 23 January 2008, a week before the car's official launch, driven by Rubens Barrichello.[1] The car was officially unveiled at the team's operational headquarters in Brackley, England.[2]

For the 2008 season, the Honda F1 team named Ross Brawn as team principal and also announced a new deputy technical director in the form of former BMW Sauber chief designer Jörg Zander.

For the 2008 season, the team retained their drivers from the previous two seasons, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Honda also recruited Alexander Wurz from Williams, although the veteran Austrian had announced his retirement from race driving in 2007, but Wurz could not turn down the prospect of working alongside Ross Brawn.[3] Honda also confirmed that their young driver line up will include 2006 British Formula 3 Champion Mike Conway and Italian Luca Filippi.

2008 season

Testing

The RA108 had been a constant mid to rear end car in 2008 testing with Jenson Button saying the car lacked "driveability" as the drivers and team adapted the RA108 to new rules.[4] For the 2008 season, the FIA implemented rules that required all teams to use one gearbox for four races and a standard McLaren Electronic Systems ECU that prevents the use of driving aids such as traction control and engine braking. Ross Brawn had already said the team had a better chance for the 2009 Formula One season as the regulations for 2009 would be totally new.[5]

Button commented on how positively the team developed the RA108.[6] At their final week of testing at the Jerez Circuit in Spain, the team added new aerodynamics, with most of the wings being revised. Head of Race and Test Engineering, Steve Clark, believed the car was a clear step forward.[7]

In the testing in Paul Ricard before the Monaco Grand Prix, a second revision of the "dumbo" wings on the nose, first introduced in the Spanish Grand Prix, was introduced.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Points WCC
2008 Honda Racing F1 Honda V8 B AUS MAL BHR ESP TUR MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN EUR BEL ITA SIN JPN CHN BRA 14 9th
Button Ret 10 Ret 6 11 11 11 Ret Ret 17 12 13 15 15 9 14 16 13
Barrichello DSQ 13 11 Ret 14 6 7 14 3 Ret 16 16 Ret 17 Ret 13 11 15

References

  1. ↑ "Barrichello debuts new Honda RA108". GPUpdate.net. 2008-01-23. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  2. ↑ "Honda presents RA108". GPUpdate.net. 2008-01-29. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  3. ↑ "Wurz: Brawn made Honda proposal interesting". GPUpdate.net. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  4. ↑ "New Honda lacks driveability - Button". GPUpdate.net. 2008-02-04. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  5. ↑ "Brawn turns attention to 2009". GPUpdate.net. 2008-02-22. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  6. ↑ "Button positive after final week of testing". GPUpdate.net. 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  7. ↑ "Last gasp progress for Honda". GPUpdate.net. 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
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