Honda press the green Button with 'Earth car'

World in motion: the new environmentally friendly Honda was launched in London yesterday but Jenson Button (right) is looking for it to go faster in testing
14 April 2012

Who says Formula One could not care less about the environment? Certainly not Jenson Button.

The British driver and his team-mate Rubens Barrichello were at the Natural History Museum in London yesterday for the unveiling of the Japanese manufacturer's 2007 livery.

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Gone were the sponsor's logos which have dominated F1 cars for decades, to be replaced by a stunning green and blue image of the earth in an attempt to "raise awareness of the environmental issues facing the planet".

Chief executive Nick Fry acknowledged that sport's gas-guzzling machines are objects of hate for the green lobby, admitting: "F1 and the environment may not seem natural bedfellows.

"Formula One has to change, or it will wither on the vine. The changes we make must be relevant to road cars. We must act as a laboratory for change."

Button and Barrichello, who ironically had both flown 7,000 miles from pre-season testing in Bahrain, said they now drive around Monaco in hybrid cars - which combine fuel-efficient gas engines with an electric motor - by way of personal contributions to the cause.

Button, however, also revealed that he no longer leaves the TV on stand-by and turns off lights when they're not needed. His duty done, he flew back to the Middle East yesterday - following in the carbon footprint of Barrichello, who started out on his six-hour return journey yesterday.

Cynics will point to the involvement of Simon Fuller, the management mogul behind the Spice Girls' chart-topping success and David Beckham's multi-million pound commercial activity, and deride the initiative as style of substance.

This is Fuller's most visible contribution since being enlisted by Honda 12 months ago. The idea includes a website - www.myearthdream.com - where fans can pledge to change their lifestyle or donate money to an environmental charity in exchange for their name forming a tiny pixel on the livery.

A genuine commitment or a cheap PR stunt? In fairness both Honda and F1's ruling body, the FIA, have a record of taking part in environmental projects, including reforestation, and the sport will introduce devices for energy recovery by 2009. Last year, Honda become the first carmaker to set CO2 reduction goals.

That said, there is no hope of a truly green F1 car in the foreseeable future, given the large scale of exhaust emissions and that the chassis itself is comprised of highly-toxic materials. A more pressing concern for Honda, however, is the speed of their new 'Earth Car'.

It has proved sluggish in pre-season testing and Button has resigned himself to a frustrating start to the 2007 campaign, which starts with the Australian Grand Prix on March 18.

"Everyone wants to be winning races but there are so many factors," said the 27-year-old, whose first race win came at Hungary last August. "At the moment we do not have a car that is quick enough.

"I wouldn't say we are going to be winning in Melbourne unless we are very, very lucky. So for now we have just got to think about improving this car and then it will all happen after that."

Button is clearly frustrated. He can see that the McLarens of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton and the Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa are setting the pace, even though Honda's new aerodynamic package in last week's Bahrain test added respectability to their showing.

Three more crucial days of testing - starting today - at the Sakhir circuit await before the opening race in Australia on March 18.

Button said: 'This week in Bahrain is very important. The test we just finished there saw us improve the car throughout the week in many different areas.

"It is a matter of understanding the car more than anything else.

"We have some new parts that are coming out from the UK for the next test which will help us not just over one lap, but with consistency which is what you need with these (Bridgestone) tyres.

"We just get our heads down and hopefully improve on what we have."

Traditional thinking suggests it is hard to turn a dud car into a winner but Button is refusing to write-off the title in his eighth season.

He said: "My championship dream is still alive. Ferrari a few years back did nothing at the first few races; they were so far off, but they came back and were challenging for the championship in the end.

"We have been in difficult times before. I am not saying that this is anything like that and we were able to pull it back then, so hopefully as soon as possible we will be able to improve and be up there with the top teams."

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