By Honda Racing F1
January 27 2008

The Honda Racing F1 Team today concluded an initial shakedown in Valencia with the new Honda RA108 ahead of the official launch at the team’s Brackley headquarters on Tuesday 29 January. Rubens Barrichello was first out in the new car on Wednesday afternoon, with Jenson Button continuing the running on Thursday.

The team put evaluation mileage on the car in preparation for the start of the pre-season testing programme in Barcelona next week. The running concluded with a young driver evaluation on Friday morning with Mike Conway at the wheel. The team’s new Test and Reserve Driver Alex Wurz was also in Valencia for his debut test with his new team. He spent a day in the 2007 car to acclimatise to the Honda systems and procedures.

Takashi Kogure, who races for Honda in the Formula Nippon and Super GT Series in Japan, was also in Valencia as part of the Formula Dream Project through which Honda supports and develops promising young drivers. Kogure completed 77 laps over two days of running as he completed a familiarisation programme in the RA107 car.

The team is now looking forward to the official presentation of the Honda RA108 in its new livery where the drivers will discuss their first impressions of the team’s 2008 challenger.

Takashi Kogure

"I had a very enjoyable time driving the 2007 Honda F1 car over the last two days. I really enjoyed the experience of the acceleration, braking and downforce capabilities which were very impressive. This was a fantastic opportunity for me and I would like to say a big thank you to the Honda Racing F1 Team and the Honda Formula Dream Project for giving me this chance."

Steve Clark

Head of Race & Test Engineering

Honda Racing F1

"The first few days with a new car are always spent working through a very careful procedure of system checks and inspection. We have completed this process now and the RA108 has covered 198 laps reliably. A more detailed examination of the data gathered will take place over the next few days in preparation for the first full test with the car in Barcelona next week."