Honda launch green campaign and livery

The team unveil today their new 2007 colour scheme, which features an image of the earth instead of the traditional advertising and sponsor logos.

But Honda are taking the initiative a step further, revealing a unique scheme to raise awareness of the environmental issues facing the world.

Through a new website myearthdream.com, those interested in helping support Honda's push will be able to make a donation to environmental charity, pledge to make a lifestyle change, and in return have their name featured on the car.

Two global brands, Universal Music and Gatorade, are the first to sign up to the concept, while other companies - including Fila, IBM, Instron, Oliver Sweeney, Perkin Elmer, Showa Denko, TUV and GF Agie Charmilles - have also joined up.

"Climate change is probably the single biggest issue facing the global community and F1 is not immune from it," team boss Nick Fry said.

"On the contrary, we believe that F1 with its huge global profile and cutting edge technology can play an important role in not only highlighting the issues but also playing our part in developing solutions.

"In addition, the FIA recognises the opportunity for F1 to showcase innovative technologies for the benefit of society for the long term. For example, by 2009, devices for energy recovery will be in place on the cars.

"So we at Honda F1 are proud to dedicate our car to the environmental challenge. We believe that practical solutions can stem directly from engineers working on our F1 programme."

Fry added that he hoped Honda's plans for 2007 would not oly raise awareness of global issues but also encourage the public to do more to help the situation.

"First and foremost, we are a race team and F1 is very much a team sport. We achieve our racing objectives only by working together, and parallels can be drawn with the way that we must all join together to address the environmental challenge.

"We hope that in raising awareness and highlighting the issues we will encourage members of the public to come together and help take on the challenge of climate change."

Honda Racing chairman Yasuhiro Wada added: "Honda constantly strives to be innovative in both its technology and its thinking and to sincerely respond to the demands of customers and society.

"Honda has always made great efforts to contribute to the preservation of the environment in its corporate activity.

"We hope this new initiative for Honda in F1 will help to further stimulate awareness and interest across the world for these important environmental issues."