After some deliberation, I like the idea...as a one race spectacle to garner some media attention for some new enviro-friendly product Honda is introducing, much like what Jaguar did at Monaco with Hollywood Movie liveries. But this is not the case, instead it is to "...develop Honda?s existing environmental ethos." To achieve this "the Honda Racing F1 Team will work closely with global environmental charities to develop Honda?s existing environmental ethos within the world?s most high profile motor-sport." So in essence buying its way into the hearts and minds of environmental groups in order to look pro-earth.
I am sure Honda has had an environmental ethos for a long time, but there is no doubt at the moment Toyota has the image of the car company that is 'trying to make a difference.' This whole campaign of Honda's IMHO is to chip away at Toyota's "greenness" image, and though i am in the camp that thinks Toyota's "greenness" image is all hype, there is no doubt they have fooled the masses. Honda is trying to playing catch up, and they are using the most popular motor sport in the world to advertise their "environmental ethos." Some one already mentioned the irony.
Not to mention they are basically grand standing in front of the FIA whom months ago release an agenda to turn F1 teams into the leading developers of green technologies.
link
Basically as a livery that will be on the car for the entire season, I think it's a bit cheesy and corny, especially since they are not promoting anything new. Considering they have full reign on the team IMHO they could have done better.
And as the current testing has shown this will most likely be the most press the Honda team gets all year, I see them fading into midfield oblivion by the start of the European season.
Plus I think the design will look like shit at speed. Actually at speed it could turn into some sort of Warshack test. Before reading the caption, at first glance I thought it was apart of some ad campaign for some Discovery Channel Crocodile Week, or the like.
