Honda RA108

Last updated
Honda RA108
Barrichello Canada 2008.jpg
Rubens Barrichello driving the RA108 at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix
Category Formula One
Constructor Honda
Designer(s) Shuhei Nakamoto (Technical Director)
Jörg Zander (Deputy Technical Director)
Jacky Eeckelaert (Engineering Director)
Kevin Taylor (Chief Designer)
Loic Bigois (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor RA107
Successor Brawn BGP 001 [1]
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 2.4  L (150  cu in) 90° V8, 19,000 RPM rev limited Naturally-aspirated, mid-engined
Transmission Honda Carbon composite maincase, 7-speed, Honda internals Sequential semi-automatic hydraulic activation
Power747-775 hp @ 19,000 rpm [2] [3]
Fuel? (5.75% bio fuel)
Lubricants ENEOS
Tyres Bridgestone Potenza
BBS Forged Magnesium Wheels
Competition history
Notable entrants Honda Racing F1 Team
Notable drivers16. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jenson Button
17. Flag of Brazil.svg Rubens Barrichello
Debut 2008 Australian Grand Prix
Last event 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
180100

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

Contents

Following the departure of Honda from the sport at the end of 2008 and the sale of the team to team principal Ross Brawn in 2009, the RA108 was the last car produced by the Brackley-based team to bear the Honda name and the last Formula One car powered by a Honda engine until 2015, when Honda re-entered the sport as an engine supplier to power the McLaren MP4-30. [4] [5]

Launch

An RA108 driven by Rubens Barrichello at Valencia, January 23rd 2008. Rubens Barrichello 2008 Valencia test.jpg
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. [6] The car was officially unveiled at the team's operational headquarters in Brackley, England. [7]

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. [8] 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. [9] 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. [10]

Button commented on how positively the team developed the RA108. [11] 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. [12]

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.

Livery

During the pre-season testing, the car only ran in white livery without sponsors. When it was unveiled to the media, once again it featured an image of planet Earth but with subtle changes including stripes on the front of the car and red accents to raise the Earth Dreams campaign. It also retaining the Type R emblem on the nosecone.

At the Turkish Grand Prix, Barrichello's car was decorated with a special livery commemorating his 257th race start, which broke the record that previously held by Riccardo Patrese.

Later use

After the end of 2008 season, the RA108 was fitted with a 2009-specification front wing.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

YearTeamEngineTyresDrivers123456789101112131415161718PointsWCC
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 149th
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jenson Button Ret10Ret6111111RetRet17121315159141613
Flag of Brazil.svg Rubens Barrichello DSQ1311Ret1467143Ret1616Ret17Ret131115

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References

  1. ↑ Tremayne, David (24 October 2009). "Brawn and brains! In-depth review of the title race and a look ahead to 2010". Independent. Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  2. ↑ "Engine Honda". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  3. ↑ "Honda's F1 engine revealed". 24 November 2013.
  4. ↑ "Honda team to return as Brawn GP". BBC Sport. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
  5. ↑ Collantine, Keith (16 May 2013). "Honda confirm F1 return with McLaren in 2015". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "Barrichello debuts new Honda RA108". GPUpdate.net. 2008-01-23. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  7. ↑ "Honda presents RA108". GPUpdate.net. 2008-01-29. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  8. ↑ "Wurz: Brawn made Honda proposal interesting". GPUpdate.net. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  9. ↑ "New Honda lacks driveability - Button". GPUpdate.net. 2008-02-04. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  10. ↑ "Brawn turns attention to 2009". GPUpdate.net. 2008-02-22. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  11. ↑ "Button positive after final week of testing". GPUpdate.net. 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  12. ↑ "Last gasp progress for Honda". GPUpdate.net. 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
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