Monday, January 08, 2007

 

Honda

The team scored their first win last year with Jenson Button but with all of the hype they've been generating about next year will they be able to live up to their own expectations?

The Drivers

Jenson finally won last year but in a situation which probably begs more questions than it answers. Can you really call yourself a winner if it takes all of the other drivers falling off the track for you to win. He did drive well in a difficult situation, but he's certainly kidding himself if he thinks the stat that he won more points than anyone else in the last eight races is important for this year. Jenson needs to do well this year because otherwise the brit support will be split four ways this year. And with Hamilton's potential to be super quick he's going to have to watch himself to make sure he doesn't become Coulthard.

What has happened to Rubens? Is he going to be remembered as the best second driver ever or is he going to step up to the plate? You can't help but feel that even Rubens has admitted to himself that if it was going to happen that it would have happened by now. But until we see him pushing Jenson he isn't fulfilling his own potential.

The Team

The main advantage for Honda over any of the front runners is their stability. No changes to management and no changes to drivers. Maybe this will work to their advantage.

The problems

They are a team that is built around their "superstar" driver, copying the system that worked so well at Ferrari. They just haven't noticed that Jenson doesn't deserve the attention.

Outside Bet?

Jenson wins the world championship.

More Likely?

Jenson fails to win a single race.


Comments:
I'd forgotten that Geoff Willis left Honda mid-season. How much of an affect will this have on this year's car? I had the opinion he was quite a good technical director but they over-stretched him at Honda (much like Newey now at Red Bull, I think), then made him the scapegoat for this season's loss of pace. So, there is some instability in the team...


 
Yeah I thought about that while I was writing the review.

In my mind I thought well that was already settled. But actually you are right, it could be quite important. Espcially as he'd been with Jenson so long.

My main thought right after I'd posted this one was "you mentioned Montoya in the McLaren one so why didn't you mention Willis here"?


 
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