Introduction:
The 2007 Honda RA107 is a Formula One car that was built and raced by the Honda Racing F1 Team during the 2007 Formula One season. The car was driven by Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, and the team was managed by Nick Fry. The RA107 made its debut at the 2007 Australian Grand Prix and went on to compete in all 19 races of the season, with a best finish of third place at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Design
The Honda RA107 was designed by Honda’s chief designer Shuhei Nakamoto, who had been with the team since its inception in 1998. The car featured a revised aerodynamics package and a new engine, the RA807E. The RA107 was also the first Honda car to be fitted with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS). The car was powered by a 3.0-litre V10 engine and was capable of producing up to 750bhp.
Performance
The RA107 was a competitive car, but the team was unable to challenge for race wins. The car was reliable, but lacked the outright speed to challenge for podium positions. The team did manage to score points in nine races, with Button’s third place in Hungary being the best result of the year. The RA107 also set the fastest lap of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix, but this was not enough to secure the team a place in the constructors’ championship.
Engine and Gearbox
The RA107 was powered by a 3.0-litre V10 engine, which was capable of producing up to 750bhp. The car was also fitted with a semi-automatic seven-speed gearbox, which was operated by paddles on the steering wheel. The gearbox was reliable, but a lack of traction control meant that the drivers had to be careful when changing gears.
Tyres and Suspension
The RA107 was equipped with Bridgestone tyres, which provided good grip in both wet and dry conditions. The car also featured a double-wishbone suspension system, which allowed for good control and stability. The RA107 also featured a rear wing for downforce, which was adjustable and helped to keep the car stable at high speeds.
Testing
The RA107 was tested extensively before the start of the season, with Button and Barrichello completing thousands of miles of running. The team also completed several aerodynamic tests, which allowed them to fine-tune the car’s set-up. The testing program was successful and the team was confident that the car was ready for the season ahead.
Racing
The RA107 made its debut at the Australian Grand Prix and went on to compete in all 19 races of the season. The car was reliable, but lacked the outright speed to challenge for podium positions. The team did manage to score points in nine races, with Button’s third place in Hungary being the best result of the year.
KERS
The RA107 was the first Honda car to be fitted with a KERS system, which allowed the driver to store energy from braking and then use it to boost acceleration. The system was effective, but was not used as much as the team had hoped. The system was also not used in qualifying, as the team felt it did not provide enough of an advantage.
Results
The RA107 was competitive, but the team was unable to challenge for race wins. The team managed to score points in nine races, with Button’s third place in Hungary being the best result of the year. The team also set the fastest lap of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix, but this was not enough to secure the team a place in the constructors’ championship.
Legacy
The RA107 was the last car to be built and raced by Honda before their withdrawal from Formula One in 2008. The car was reliable, but lacked the outright speed to challenge for podium positions. Despite this, the RA107 is remembered fondly by Honda fans as the last car to represent the Japanese marque in the sport.
