Is this Honda Racing F1's new livery?
Click image for hi-res photo gallery
UPDATE: ***Honda has made it official - Click here for info, photos***
Thanks to tipster Joseff, we think the answer is a resounding "YES!" Once again, it appears that the discovery was made by playing with URL strings, in this case, the tinkering took place in the Honda Racing F1 gallery. The photos immediately preceding this one are of the unpainted RA107 undergoing testing (and are featured on the gallery homepage). The Earth-liveried car happens to be the next photo in line, which leads us to believe that the official reveal is coming very soon (this weekend, perhaps?). In any case, we reported that the final look was to be revealed in February, and the month's just about over.
The domain name shown on the car's rear wing is not yet active, but it is registered to 19 Entertainment, which counts American Idol among its numerous endeavours. 19 Entertainment has been hired by Honda to help with the team's marketing efforts, and we're sure that the meaning of the new look will be made clear when the official unveiling takes place.
As we said when BlueOvalNews dug up teaser shots and press releases of the renamed Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, if your photo is online and is not behind some kind of security, it will be found. A web-savvy person doesn't need to be a detective to see when photos are numbered in sequence. Trying the next ones in line is a logical step.
Joseff, thanks for the tip!
UPDATE: Joseff tells us in the comments that the photo was posted first over at F1 Technical's forums. Thanks for the clarification. The "Read" link at the bottom of the post will bring you to the related F1 Technical thread.
UPDATE 2: More info via the comments. Joe contributes an Auto123 link speculating that Google may be a sponsor. The reveal is apparently set for Monday in London.
[Source: Honda Racing F1 via F1 Technical]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseff 12:58PM (2/24/2007)
19 entertainment is hired by Honda to do marketing
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns16244.html
Credit for the tip should go to F1Technical.
Visit http://www.f1technical.net for F1 tech discussions.
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Michael Bakshi 1:34PM (2/24/2007)
Does it have a VTEC?
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Ols 1:34PM (2/24/2007)
It's been taken off their site - someone's going to get a knock on the head when these get around.
Can imagine how much Honda wanted to keep this under wraps until the big unveil.
I kind of like it but its a bit gimmicky I think - it will date quickly. Having said that its much better than what they had before... yawn
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tiago do vale 1:51PM (2/24/2007)
I believe Honda's livery will NOT be like that.
It's just a show off thing. It would "kill" any other sponsor in the car and I don't see any light way to paint such complex images in a F1 car.
(I remind you that the McLaren team has a "chrome-like" paint only because they found a way to make it as light as a convencional paint.)
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Matt Dell 2:25PM (2/24/2007)
This looks more to me like a promotional livery just for one event. Sort of like Red Bull's past two liveries in Monaco.
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joe 2:59PM (2/24/2007)
Found this on Auto123.com
With the latest rumours hinting at the signing of a major American sponsor, a photo of Honda's radical new livery for 2007 confirms speculation that 'Google Earth' imagery will be used.
source: GMM
http://flagworld.auto123.com/en/racing/news/index,view.spy?artid=77432
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Ols 7:14PM (2/24/2007)
I think it is real - it has been rumoured for a while that they would go for something radical and 'green'.
Simon Fuller and 19 Entertainment are behind Honda's image building and they said they wanted to push the manufacturer's green credentials after losing tobacco sponsorship.
Plus, rumour has it that they weren't intending on having sponsors this year - although that black space in front of the wing suggests something will go there - maybe a major sponsor like Google Earth... makes sense considering the livery.
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