F1: Honda Fired Their Technical Director

The lack of results in Honda's Formula One Racing Team is not to remain unpunished. After being sick and tired of seeing their drivers fighting to stay in the race and finishing 5th or 6th, the Japanese constructor made the first move, yesterday, towards making it all better again. So, from now on, the new technical director of Honda will be Shuhei Nakamoto. He will replace Geoff Willis, the former holder of that position inside Honda. Still, Willis is not to exit the team completely, since he will be appointed elsewhere inside the team.

Ever since the 2006 season started, the 3rd place that Button managed in the Malaysian Grand Prix was, by far, the best result of the Japanese team. Although they signed two of the great Formula One drivers - Jensen Button and Rubens Barrichelo - Lucky Strike Honda Racing is only 4th in the overall constructor standings. And that wouldn't be so bad, considering the fact that we're just half-way through the season. Still, if we look at the point-difference between them and the leaders Renault, we'd see that the French constructor has 106 points, while Honda only scored 29 points.

"Honda has set itself some very tough targets for its Formula One team and made a considerable investment in order to achieve them, so we have to ensure that we do everything necessary to pursue those objectives. Shuhei Nakamoto has an excellent record of achievement with Honda and we have confidence that his appointment, together with our investments at the Brackley HQ, will help us towards our goal", said Honda boss, Nick Fry.

Actually, Nakamoto is not at all a stranger in the Formula One competition. Former pilot in Superbike for the same Honda constructor - for 17 years - the Japanese has had a great contribution on Honda's third début in Formula One, 6 years ago. He has been an engineering director of Honda and, starting 2005, a member inside the Directing Board.