Honda Celebrates 60th Anniversary of First F1 Race Entry during Monterey Car Week
This summer marks a significant milestone for Honda as it celebrates the 60th anniversary of its first entry into Formula One competition. The celebration will feature the legendary Honda RA272, the first race-winning F1 machine from a Japanese automaker, which will be showcased at the 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca from August 14-17.
A Historic Victory: The Honda RA272
The Honda RA272 is renowned for its innovative engineering and groundbreaking achievements. In November 1965, the RA272 stunned the racing world by winning the Mexican Grand Prix, making it the first Japanese car to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix. This historic victory demonstrated the superiority of Honda's engine and chassis technologies, setting the stage for decades of success in motorsports.
Powered by a transverse-mounted 1.5-liter V12 engine capable of reaching 13,000 rpm, the Honda RA272 will perform exhibition laps at Laguna Seca. Honda heritage test driver Hikaru Miyagi will pilot the car, continuing its legacy of excellence. The RA272 also made a recent appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, driven by Miyagi and current F1 race driver Yuki Tsunoda.
The Honda "Challenging Spirit"
Soichiro Honda, a former racer, believed in the power of competition to improve his company, its engineers, and its products. This "Challenging Spirit" is deeply ingrained in Honda's corporate culture, driving the company to achieve success at the highest levels of motorsports on both two and four wheels.
Over the years, Honda engines have powered drivers to eight Formula One Drivers' Championships. Notably, Honda engines set records for the most race wins in a season twice. In 2023, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, driving cars powered by Honda, won all but one race, surpassing the previous record set by McLaren Honda in 1988 with drivers Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
A Legacy of Innovation and Success
The mid-engine Honda RA272 secured its place in history by winning the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix with Los Angeles-born driver Richie Ginther at the wheel. This victory came just a year after the Honda team's debut at the German Grand Prix in August 1964 with the V12-powered RA271. For more details on the origins of Honda F1 Racing, click here.
Looking to the future, Honda is set to enter a new era in Formula 1. In 2026, Honda will supply power units to the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® Team as part of a works partnership. The new Honda power units will comply with the 2026 F1 power unit regulations, tripling the electrical power provided by the hybrid system. This development will allow Honda to refine its e-motor and battery technologies through new F1 challenges and integrate the knowledge gained into mass production.
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