Honda failed to reach its target of 400kph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah — but only just.
South African part-time test driver Alan van der Merwe finally coaxed his modified F1 single-seater – featuring a rudder instead of a rear wing – to an average of 397.360 over two timed miles, the Independent newspaper said.
Merwe’s Brackley-built Honda did notch up the elusive 400kph, but not under official conditions, although the intensive week across the Atlantic did leave the team with three land-speed records in various categories.
”It would have been nice to have a round number for the record and we are only two and a half kilometres per hour off that,” the driver said.
Both Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button failed to finish the recent French grand prix after qualifying fourteenth and nineteenth.
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