2004 BAR 006

Takuma Sato joins Jenson Button in the race driver line-up.
Anthony Davidson becomes the most consistently quick Third Driver of the season.
Jenson achieves his first podium, his first second place finish and his first pole position.
Takuma becomes the first-ever Japanese driver to line up on the front row of the grid and secures his own first podium with third place in the Únited States Grand Prix.
B.A.R Honda secures second place in the 2004 Constructors' Championship.

Honda Motor Company



Incorporated into products as diverse as motorcycles, cars, generators, lawn mowers, agricultural machinery and boats, Honda's engines range from the world's most powerful normally-aspirated 2 litre engine to the world's lightest 25cc 4-stroke engine, and are sold in most countries in the world.

From its inception in September 1948, Honda has been renowned for exquisite engineering, and in the ensuing 58 years has become a global company employing over 144,000 people, with manufacturing operations principally conducted in more than 32 separate factories worldwide. In the financial year ended March 31 2006, Honda sold approximately 19.5 million products, comprising 3.4 million cars, 10.3 million motorcycles and 5.9 million power equipment products.



The company's founder, Soichiro Honda, entered a number of races himself, and held the Japanese land speed record in the 1930s.

His decision to enter Honda motorcycles in the Isle of Man TT races of 1959 was a seminal moment in the company's history: Honda's TT adventure not only raised awareness of the company throughout the world, but was also a clear demonstration of the challenging spirit that is key to Honda's corporate philosophy.

Honda's first entry into Formula One came in 1964, less than two years after the unveiling of its first road car model. The company's first and second eras of Formula One participation (from 1964-8, and 1983-92) yielded no fewer than 71 Grand Prix wins, five consecutive Drivers' World Championships and six consecutive Constructors' World Championships. Honda achieved this impressive track record as both an engine supplier and as a complete team in its own right.

Honda returned to grand prix racing in 2000, selecting the fledgling British American Racing team as its partner for the company's third generation of F1 racing operations, entering into a contract to supply engines and jointly develop chassis technology.

Having taken a 45% share-holding in the B.A.R Honda team in 2004, Honda completed its purchase of the remaining 55% from British American Tobacco in December 2005. The newly-renamed Honda Racing F1 Team is the first 100%-Honda Formula One entry since 1968.

Source - BAR