Honda turns green
 

THE Honda Formula One team will replace advertising and sponsor logos on its car this season with a giant picture of the Earth to raise awareness of environmental issues. "Climate change is probably the single biggest issue facing the global community and F1 is not immune from it," team boss Nick Fry said.

"On the contrary, we believe that F1, with its huge global profile and cutting edge technology, can play an important role in not only highlighting the issues but also playing our part in developing solutions."

The team said, through the web site www.myearthdream.com, that anybody could have the opportunity to have their name on the RA107 car by making a donation to an environmental charity.

"Under the concept of 'our car is your car', each name will form a tiny individual pixel which will help build the image of planet earth on the car," it said.

"Each name will be visible on the web site when you make the pledge, or under the microscope on the car."

Honda, which bought the BAR team from founders British American Tobacco two years ago, had cigarette brand Lucky Strike as title sponsor in 2006.

Universal Music and Gatorade were the first global brands to join the team in the new concept while existing sponsors were also enthusiastic, the team said.

"The Honda Racing team will work closely with global environmental charities to develop Honda's existing environmental ethos within the world's most high-profile motor sport," it added.

The season starts in Melbourne on March 18.

Formula One's governing body and the major carmakers which dominate the sport are eager to scrap gas-guzzling stereotypes and present a new environmentally-aware image.

That is no easy achievement, with even the most fuel efficient 2.3 litre V8 F1 engines burning through some 50L/100km.

The same engines are reduced to little more than scrap metal after about 1400km of use.

International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley said last year that Formula One had to address global concerns by embracing new energy-saving technologies.

"We believe that practical solutions can stem directly from engineers working on our F1 program," Fry said.

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