Honda announces new agreement with Nippon Oil

Honda today announced a new agreement with Nippon Oil Corporation (NOC) which extends its existing partnership to cover the coming season. The agreement sees the continuation of the supply of NOC's ENEOS lubricants to the team and the ENEOS logo will once again appear prominently on race suits of race drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello from the Australian Grand Prix, in addition to appearing on the fireproof suits of the Honda race team mechanics.

The partnership between Honda and NOC is long-standing, with NOC becoming the first Japanese oil refining company to supply engine oil for Formula One race cars in 2000. Since then, NOC has been a forerunner in the development of F1 engine oil and works closely with Honda R&D to develop the engine and gearbox oil for the team's race cars.

Nick Fry, Honda F1 CEO "I am very pleased to confirm the continuation of our partnership with NOC and the ENEOS brand. Our relationship with NOC over the past few seasons has been very beneficial and has helped to develop NOC's technological capabilities based on the experience and expertise gained through involvement in Formula One.

"Having recently announced the Honda Racing F1 Team's earthdreams initiative, we are also extremely proud to be associated with an oil company which takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and is continually undertaking new challenges in the areas of environmental protection and renewable energy."

Yuichi Ibusuki, NOC PR Department Manager: "Our partnership with the Honda Racing F1 Team has proven to be very beneficial to both parties and we are pleased to be continuing this association into 2008. Our close working relationship contributes to the evolution and development of our lubricants technology through the supply of engine and gearbox oil to the team. We seek to continue these synergies by using the involvement in Formula One, the pinnacle of global motor sports, to assist our future research and development."