Penske switch to Honda for 2006

The team, which won three consecutive Indianapolis 500 IRL races from 2001 to 2003 will return to Honda, having last teamed up with the Japanese company in Champ Car in 2000 and 2001.

Those two years produced two championships for the team, with current BAR sporting director Gil de Ferran taking the title both times.

With such strong results when the two companies last partenered each other, it is no surprise Honda Performance Development president Robert Clarke is glad to see them join forces again.

"We're thrilled to have Team Penske back in the Honda fold," said Clarke. "With the departure of General Motors from the IndyCar Series, we had expected to expand our lineup in 2006, and adding Team Penske is certainly an impressive way to begin.

"We had a very successful relationship with them in the CART series, and now look forward to renewing our partnership in the IndyCar Series."

Penske team owner Roger Penske was happy to have a strong partner for the future: "Honda's long term commitment to the IndyCar Series was an absolute factor in our decision.

"As it became clear that Toyota was re-allocating its resources we had to look beyond 2006 and make the best decision for our future."