Technical Glitch

Technical Glitch
Honda F1 says goodbye to technical director Geoffrey WillisAt the British GP at Silverstone earlier this year, Honda F1 drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello found themselves battling technical difficulties both on and off the track. Just nine laps into Button's home race, at a circuit close to team headquarters, his car failed him, suffering an oil leak. Barrichello fared little better, rolling around mid-pack for the better part of 73 laps before finishing in 10th.

"The performance just goes away during the race, and I just seem to be fighting the car the whole time," Barrichello said later. But little did the drivers know that team brass was in the process of handling their own technical crisis-axing technical director Geoffrey Willis. That's the simple story.

Here's the confusing one: Honda promoted Shuhei Nakamoto, Honda Racing Development's engineering director, to senior technical director of the Formula 1 team, effectively demoting Willis. It didn't take long for Willis to quit. Neither showed up to the following race at Montreal.

It has been a rocky season for Honda F1. The RA106 racecar hasn't been up to snuff and both drivers have had a tough time finding race pace. And the engine hasn't been winning any high praise. Who can forget Button's car exploding to a ball of flames within sight of third place at Melbourne? Now, Honda turns to Nakamoto, a man who has a background in superbikes but little F1 experience.

"Shuhei Nakamoto has an excellent record of achievement with Honda," said Nick Fry, CEO of Honda Racing F1, "and we have confidence that his appointment, together with our investments at the Brackley HQ, will help us towards our goal."

Two races after Silverstone, there have yet to be any miracles. Neither driver finished in the points at the Canadian GP. Barrichello's engine gave out a few laps in while Button spent most of the day a lap down. At the United States GP a week later, Button was caught up in a first lap melee. Only nine cars finished the race. Barrichello took advantage of the retirements to finish sixth.

Who's That Man?
Honda's new technical guru is a mystery man in Formula 1.Honda Racing F1 opened its press release announcing Shuhei Nakamoto as the new senior technical director with a clear counterstrike: "Nakamoto has been a key part of Honda's third generation of F1 involvement for the past six years and has also been a member of the Honda Racing F1 Team management board since Honda acquired full ownership of the team in December 2005."

The team's intention was to end all question of Nakamoto's inexperience in the top tier of motorsports. With reason-most of the Japanese engineer's experience has been in superbikes. For 17 years, he has been the project leader for Honda's 250cc WGP Motorcycle, 750cc, and 1000cc superbike machines. There are some championships on that resume, but nothing on the level of Formula 1.Here's a quick snapshot of his career.

Shuhei NakamotoNationality: JapaneseAge: 49

2006Senior technical director,Honda Racing F1 team

2003Engineering director,Honda Racing Development

2002Race and test team manager,Honda Racing Development

2001Large project leader,VTR1000 Superbike machineHonda R&D

1997Large project leader,RVF750 Superbike machine

1992Large project leader,RS125 Production race machine

1988Large Project Leader,RS250 Production Race Machine

1984Project Leader,Chassis Design RS125,RS250 Production Race Machine

1983Joined Honda Racing Corporation