Outline of the 2002 Honda Formula 1 Grand Prix Challenge

Tokyo, February 25, 2002 --- In the 2002 F1 Grand Prix season, Honda will again supply engines to two teams, British American Racing (BAR), with which Honda will also continue to conduct joint development of chassis technology, and Jordan Grand Prix, just as in the 2001 season. Four race machines from the two teams Lucky Strike B.A.R. Honda and DHL Jordan Honda will participate in Formula 1 in the 2002 season. This is the third year in which Honda has collaborated with BAR. Honda recently renewed its contract with the BAR team for another three years, aiming at further accelerating the collaboration in chassis development with the team, which was one of the purposes of Honda's third Grand Prix program, and enhancing the competitive strength of the machines including the development of a better engine. Honda has further strengthened its engine and chassis technology development organizational structure at the Tochigi R&D Center of Honda R&D Co., Ltd., in order to further promote advances in engine and chassis development, and to substantially improve its competitiveness. People in charge of Formula 1 technologies at Honda Head of Racing Technology Development: Toru Ogawa, Senior Chief Engineer, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Tochigi R&D Center Head of Powerplant Technology Development: Kazutoshi Nishizawa, Chief Engineer, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Tochigi R&D Center Head of Chassis Technology Development: Ken Hashimoto, Executive Chief Engineer, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Tochigi R&D Center Outline of Honda Racing Development Ltd. (abbreviation: HRD) President: Shoichi Tanaka Race/Test Team Manager: Shuhei Nakamoto Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, U.K. Business activities: Frontline base for Formula 1 race activities:   · Feedback on vehicle technologies · Engine maintenance · Liaison/public relations activities, etc. Outline of the 2002 Honda Formula 1 Engine Compared with the RA001E used in 2001, the new engine features a wider bank angle and achieves a higher power output, is lighter in weight, more compact and has a lower center of gravity. Engine name: Honda RA002E Configuration: Naturally aspirated 3.0 liter V10 Output: Over 800 horsepower The Formula 1 teams * Lucky Strike B.A.R. Honda Team Principal: David Richards Location: Brackley, Northampton, U.K. Drivers: Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) Olivier Panis (France) Chassis: BAR004 * DHL Jordan Honda Chief Executive: Eddie Jordan Location: Silverstone, Northampton, U.K. Drivers: Takuma Sato (Japan) Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Chassis: EJ12 Actual testing for the 2002 season, which started in January 2002, will be concluded at the Silverstone Circuit on February 20th for DHL Jordan Honda, and at the Paul Ricard Circuit for Lucky Strike B.A.R. Honda. The final of the first race of the season will take place on March 3rd at the Australian Grand Prix (Melbourne). <Australian Grand Prix> Schedule: March 1st (Fri.) 11:00 -12:00 Free practice   13:00 - 14:00 Free practice March 2nd (Sat.) 9:00 - 9:45 Free practice   10:00 - 10:45 Free practice   13:00 - 14:00 Qualifying March 3rd (Sun.) 9:30 - 10:00 Warm-up   14:00 Start of the final (All times are local. Add two hours for the time in Japan)