Honda is pulling a special surprise from its arsenal for this year’s Mexican Grand Prix. The brand is bringing back to the track the legendary V-12-powered RA272, which won the Mexican race in 1965, a world first for a Japanese automaker. Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda, who currently drives Honda-powered Formula 1 cars, will be behind the historic wheel. Details here.
Honda to Celebrate 60 Years of Victory
The Mexican Grand Prix has always been a key event on the Honda racing calendar. The company has earned five wins over the years, including its first victory in 1965, making it the dominant manufacturer at the track. In this year’s race, to be held on October 26, Honda will drive the winning car and seat a current Formula 1 driver.
Japan’s own F1 driver, Yuki Tsunoda, will be steering a 1965 Honda RA272 in a demonstration run on October 26th. This moment will offer a rare visual feast for fans of Japanese racing history.
Tsunoda is not only the only Japanese F1 driver this season, but also the obvious choice for this demonstration, having earned points in Honda-powered cars for AlphaTauri, Red Bull, and most recently, the Racing Bulls. He is also immensely popular in Japan, having been greeted with enthusiastic fans at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.
The RA272 is a far cry from today’s complex, aerodynamically finely engineered modern F1 machines. With its simple, cylindrical, and elegant lines, it is a true aesthetic beauty.
Considered the most powerful fighter of its time, it was powered by a 1.5-liter V-12 engine. This engine, spinning its small pistons at 14,000 rpm, delivered superior performance compared to its rivals.
In the 1965 Mexico race, California-born driver Richie Ginther used this Honda power to overtake Jim Clark and Dan Gurney at the start of the race and maintain the lead. This victory was a first for both Honda and a Japanese automotive company.
This year marks Honda’s 60th anniversary in F1 competition. The company’s engines have powered a host of fast race cars, from the McLaren MP4/6, which powered Ayrton Senna’s 1991 championship, to the Red Bull RB20, which won Max Verstappen’s 2024 championship. In Japanese culture, the 60th anniversary holds a special meaning, known as “kanreki,” and offers an opportunity to both fondly remember the past and look to the future with hope.
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