02/07/2007
NEWS STORY
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Speaking at the weekend, Honda team boss Nick Fry confirmed that the Brackley-based outfit has secured the services of Williams chief aerodynamicist Loic Bigois.
Bigois, who first entered F1 in 1990 as head of CAD/CAM and Aerodynamics Engineer at Ligier, subsequently joined Sauber for one year (1994) before returning to Ligier. Following the Prost team's withdrawal from F1, the Frenchman spent two years with Minardi before joining Williams as Chief Aerodynamicist in 2005.
This is the third signing in just over a month with John Owen being recruited from BMW and Peter Coysh from McLaren. This is in addition to Francois Martinet moving over from Williams.
The Japanese team, which finally opened its 2007 points account on Sunday, has made no secret of the fact that is in the market for top technical staff, particularly with regards aerodynamics. Others linked with the team are Nigel Stepney, currently at the centre of a legal case in Italy, and former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn, though few F1 insiders have ever seriously linked the Englishman with a move to Brackley, certainly while its current management is in place.
It is highly unlikely that any of the new signings will have an impact on the RA107, indeed it is more likely that they will put to work on preparing for next season.
However, despite the clear determination to recruit new talent there are many who believe that the problems at Brackley are far more deep rooted, and that even the finest technical minds in the business would struggle in the current environment.
Our picture, contrary to popular opinion, does not show a list of various people Honda is hoping to recruit but the names of race fans who have contributed to the 'myearthdream' appeal.