FIRST PICS: New Honda livery.
Love it or loathe it, Honda's choice of livery for its disappointing 2007 Formula One campaign certainly set tongues wagging and probably made its environmental project more successful than the team was on track.
To the relief of many maybe, the representation on the globe smeared across the RA107 will not be repeated in 2008, as the team moves on to the second phase of its environmental campaign - 'myearthdreams' having morphed into 'earthdreams' for the coming season.
Love it or loathe it, Honda's choice of livery for its disappointing 2007 Formula One campaign certainly set tongues wagging and probably made its environmental project more successful than the team was on track.
To the relief of many maybe, the representation on the globe smeared across the RA107 will not be repeated in 2008, as the team moves on to the second phase of its environmental campaign - 'myearthdreams' having morphed into 'earthdreams' for the coming season.
Unlike last season, where the team had separate unveilings for its car and livery, both were revealed to the world at the same time in 2008, as the launch of the RA108 also saw the introduction of the earthdreams programme and the corresponding paint job. After five F1 launches that saw cars unveiled in almost identical liveries to seasons past, at least Honda's represents something different - although opinion is likely to be divided as it was last year.
The bulk of the car, from the nose back, returns to something approaching traditional Honda white, with the global representation restricted to the sidepods, head protection and engine cover. Once again, there is an absence of visible sponsorship, with the words 'dreams' and 'earthdreams' the only noticeable additions.
Representing the next stage of Honda's long-term commitment to harnessing the passion of Formula One and its partners to provide support and investment for good causes through a unique cause related marketing initiative, earthdreams moves the focus from raising environmental awareness to action. Honda Racing F1 team and its partners - notably Seiko - have committed $1.2million to the cause, with $700,000 already allocated.
"Today also sees the introduction of earthdreams, a global cause-related marketing programme inspired by the Honda Racing F1 team and evolved from the 2007 'myearthdream' initiative," team CEO Nick Fry commented, "earthdreams' mission is to harness the power of dreams by supporting, investing in and empowering inspirational projects that have a positive impact on the world around them which will be supported by Honda and its partners.
"We have already informed projects that have been supported by earthdreams so far and we look forward to working with existing and new partners to contribute to those good causes."
To see further pictures of the RA108's new colours CLICK HERE
