The RA106 was designed by Geoff Willis. It featured a carbon fibre monocoque chassis and a rear-mounted Honda RA806E V8 engine. The car represented a departure from the single keel concept previously used by the team from 1999 to 2005. Development focused on the rear end due to new V8 engine regulations, resulting in tighter packaging and exhausts close to the center of the car. Uniquely among 2006 F1 cars, the RA106 had a separate track rod in the front suspension not hidden within a wishbone's streamline.
The RA106's chassis was a moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure. It featured wishbone and pushrod-activated torsion springs and rockers for both front and rear suspension, along with mechanical anti-roll bars. Showa dampers were used, and the car ran on BBS forged magnesium wheels with Michelin tyres. Braking was handled by Alcon 6-piston calipers with carbon discs and pads. The steering system was Honda F1 power-assisted rack and pinion, and the car used a Honda F1 carbon fibre steering wheel with an integrated dash display. The driver's seat was an anatomically formed carbon composite with a six-point harness and HANS system. Fuel was stored in an ATL kevlar-reinforced rubber bladder with a capacity of 150 litres. The RA106 was equipped with a 7-speed sequential, semi-automatic gearbox with hydraulic activation and a carbon plate clutch.
Wheelbase: 3140mm
Overall length: 4675mm
Overall height: 950mm
Overall width: 1800mm
Front track: 1460mm
Rear track: 1420mm
Name: Honda RA806E
Displacement: 2.4 litres (2395 cc / 2398 cc)
Configuration: 90-degree V8, naturally aspirated
Maximum power: Over 700 ps
Maximum revs: Over 18,500 rpm
Valve train: 4 valves per cylinder; pneumatic valve system
Injection system: Honda PGM-FI
Throttle system: Electronic hydraulically-operated system
Ignition system: Honda PGM-IG
Jenson Button was the stronger driver for Honda Racing F1 during the season. Performance improved from the German Grand Prix onwards, culminating in Button's victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Button also finished third at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The RA106 was the last Honda-powered car to win a Grand Prix until Max Verstappen won the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix in the Red Bull Racing RB15.
British American Tobacco continued as the team's main sponsor, promoting the Lucky Strike and 555 brands. Lucky Strike logos were replaced by a "Racing Revolution" livery at several races, including San Marino, European, Spanish, British, Canadian, United States, French, German, Hungarian, Turkish, Italian, and Brazilian Grands Prix. At the Chinese Grand Prix, 555 logos were used. For the Brazilian Grand Prix, the car displayed "Racing Forever" and "Last Blast" slogans as a tribute to British American Tobacco's concluding sponsorship. A special livery was also used at the Turkish Grand Prix in collaboration with Petrol Ofisi.
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