It was driven by Rubens Barrichello, who joined from Ferrari, and Jenson Button, who had spent three seasons with the team as British American Racing.

A performance slump mid-season also led to the team parting company with the car's designer, Geoff Willis, and he was replaced by the inexperienced Shuhei Nakamoto.

However, things improved from the German GP, culminating in Button's first F1 win in Hungary.

Button was generally the stronger driver throughout the season, and it was felt that he deserved to get Honda's first win in their F1 return.

In Turkey, the car ran with a special livery that coinside their collaboration with Petrol Ofisi.