It's always fun to see what people in the motoring industry choose as their own cars. Sometimes those choices can affirm their real-world leanings, like Chris Harris's nerdy, anorak BMW 1M Coupé. And in other times, those choices ('contractual choices' maybe...) showcase commercial partnerships.
Yeah, Rafaele Nadal doesn't just pose in Kia adverts because he really, really likes them. He's there because he's a brand ambassador, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Now, perhaps illustrating both of the above trains of thought at once, Honda have handed both of their Scuderia Toro Rosso recruits — Kiwi Brendon Hartley and Frenchman Pierre Gasly — new Honda Civic Type Rs.
For Brendon, it's a bit of a throwback to his first car. “Would you believe it, my first ever road car was a 1996 model year Honda Civic,” he said.
“So it’s nice to get the upgrade to the Type R. The only downside is that, with 21 Grands Prix and the really busy F1 schedule away from the track, I won’t get to drive it as much as I’d like.”
Photo / Richard Opie
Released last year, the new Type R scored mixed reviews for its wild appearance, but generally positive reviews of its performance. Accolades have flowed in worldwide, including being crowned with Driven's 'Lotto Winner's Choice' award for 2017.
Hartley's manufacturer ties are more complicated than most, as the Honda-backed driver is still contracted to Porsche following his incredible run with their LMP1 squad — entailing two World Endurance Championship titles and a well-deserved 24 Hours of Le Mans win last year.
According to Honda's press release, Gasly took delivery of his Civic last month. Hartley meanwhile gets his in the coming weeks. Though with 17 more Grand Prix to come this year across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and the Middle East ... I doubt Hartley's beast will get many kilometres put on the dial.
Gallery images / Richard Opie, Simon Chapman
