| Honda RA106 | |
| Category: | Formula One |
| Constructor: | Honda |
| Designer: | Geoff Willis Gary Savage Kevin Taylor Willem Toet Mark Ellis Ian Wright Russell Cooley Simon Lacey |
| Predecessor: | BAR 007 - BAR Engineering Honda RA301 - Honda branded Honda RA302 - Honda branded |
| Successor: | RA107 |
| Team: | Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team |
| Drivers: | 11.  Rubens Barrichello12.  Jenson Button |
| Chassis: | Carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure |
| Front Suspension: | Wishbone and pushrod activated torsion springs and rockers; mechanical anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension: | Wishbone and pushrod activated torsion springs and rockers; mechanical anti-roll bar |
| Length: | 4675mm |
| Width: | 18001NaN1 |
| Height: | 9501NaN1 |
| Wheelbase: | 31451NaN1 |
| Track: | Front : 14601NaN1 Rear : 14201NaN1 |
| Engine Name: | Honda RA806E |
| Capacity: | 2395cc |
| Configuration: | V8 (90°). |
| Turbo/Na: | Naturally-aspirated, |
| Engine Position: | mid-mounted. |
| Power: | 650-775 hp @ 19,500 rpm[1] |
| Gearbox Name: | Honda |
| Gears: | 7 forward speeds + 1 reverse |
| Type: | semi-automatic |
| Fuel: | ENEOS |
| Lubricants: | ENEOS |
| Brakes: | Caliper : alcon Pad and Disc : Brembo / Hitco |
| Tyres: | Michelin BBS Wheels |
| Debut: | 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix |
| First Win: | 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix |
| Last Win: | 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix |
| Last Event: | 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix |
| Races: | 18 |
| Wins: | 1 |
| Podiums: | 3 |
| Poles: | 1 |
| Fastest Laps: | 0 |
| Cons Champ: | 0 |
| Drivers Champ: | 0 |
The Honda RA106 (originally known as the BAR 008)[2] was the car with which the Honda team competed in the Formula One season. It was driven by Rubens Barrichello, who joined from Ferrari, and Jenson Button, who had spent three seasons with the team as British American Racing. The year marked the first time Honda had competed as a full team since ; since then it had only competed as an engine supplier until taking over BAR completely in late .
Although the year was a significant improvement from Honda's performance in 1968 and BAR's performance in 2005, Honda was unable to challenge for the world championship after impressive winter testing form. The car was quick in qualifying but less so in the races. A performance slump mid-season also led to the team parting company with the car's designer, Geoff Willis, and he was replaced by the inexperienced Shuhei Nakamoto.
However, things improved from the German GP, culminating in Button's first F1 win in Hungary. Button was generally the stronger driver throughout the season, and it was felt that he deserved to get Honda's first win in their F1 return.
Honda finished the season strongly with a run of points finishes, culminating in a third-place finish for Button at the final race in Brazil. They also successfully introduced their -spec engine before the season was over.
The team eventually finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship, with 86 points.
The RA106 formed the basis of the Super Aguri SA07.
The RA106 was also the last Honda-powered car to achieve a Grand Prix victory until Max Verstappen won the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix in the Red Bull Racing RB15.
Honda used 'Lucky Strike' logos in Bahrain, Malaysia, Australia, Monaco, and Japan, and '555' logos in China. In China all team members and drivers, used blue-yellow overalls and clothing throughout the weekend.
(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)
| Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team | Honda V8 | BHR | MAL | AUS | SMR | EUR | ESP | MON | GBR | CAN | USA | FRA | GER | HUN | TUR | ITA | CHN | JPN | BRA | 86 | 4th | |||
| Rubens Barrichello | 15 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 10 | Ret | 6 | Ret | Ret | 4 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 7 | ||||||
| Jenson Button | 4 | 3 | 10† | 7 | Ret | 6 | 11 | Ret | 9 | Ret | Ret | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 |