Currently reading: Honda close to Bonneville F1 record
Honda close to Bonneville F1 record

Honda's Formula One team has come close to achieving its goal of cracking 400kph (248mph) at the Bonneville salt flats in the United States - but it will have to try again to get the record ratified.

With South African Alan van der Merwe behind the wheel, the modified F1 car hit 400.459kph over a measured mile at the famous speed venue yesterday morning. But its return run was considerably slower, so the average over the two passes was 393.613kph. That's still the fastest speed ever seen from an F1 car, but Honda will try again to average over 400kph today.

"400 has always been the magic number," said van der Merwe. "Having done it in one direction, it might be possible to do it in both. We'll be trying again tomorrow - that's what it is about now. We just have to squeeze that little bit more from the car and keep pushing."

For more information on the attempt, and van der Merwe's diary from the record bid, see www.bonneville400.com.

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