This year, Honda celebrates its 60th anniversary of its first victory in the FIA*1 Formula One World ChampionshipTM (F1®). As part of its commemorative activities during the F1® Mexican Grand Prix*2 on October 26, Honda will participate in a demonstration run with the Honda RA272— the car that delivered Honda's first victory—driven by Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Yuki Tsunoda.
The RA272 was Honda's F1® car in its second year as a full constructor*3. Powered by a 1.5-liter V12 engine and carrying the Japanese flag on its white livery, the RA272 became a symbol that marked the beginning of Japan's motorsport history.
For the demonstration run, Honda Racing Corporation engineers performed special maintenance on the RA272 housed at the Honda Collection Hall. At the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Honda achieved its first F1® victory, Japanese F1® driver Tsunoda will drive the RA272 as a representative Honda driver.
Since its founding, Honda has pursued challenges, viewing racing as a place to hone its people and technology. This year, Honda is running a special program reflecting on 60 years of challenges and victories, with a Williams Honda FW11 demonstration run at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July and Monterey Car Week in August, and a Honda RA272 demonstration run at the Mexican Grand Prix. As it advances power unit (PU) development for its upcoming F1® entry starting in 2026, Honda will continue to hone its people and technology through these challenges, delivering dreams and excitement to motorsports and Honda fans worldwide.
In recognition of the 60th anniversary, Honda Racing Corporation recently launched a line of premium apparel and merchandise featuring the RA272 race car.
* The F1 logo, FORMULA 1, F1, GRAND PRIX and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company. All rights reserved.
*1 FIA: Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
*2 Official name: F1 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX 2025
*3 Full constructor develops and manufactures its own car and engine for F1® competition
Comment from Yuki Tsunoda, Oracle Red Bull Racing
“It is an honor to drive the RA272 at the special place where Honda achieved its first F1® victory. Driving on the track where the RA272 pioneered Japanese motorsports history 60 years ago is a particularly special and deeply moving experience. With Honda's history of challenges in my heart, I want to give fans a drive that conveys dreams and passion.”
Comment from Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC)
“It is a tremendous pleasure that the RA272 will drive again in Mexico, at the same place Honda achieved its first victory, 60 years ago in 1965. Furthermore, having Tsunoda, a driver representing Japan in F1® pilot this historic car, holds great significance. We believe this will be a precious opportunity to reflect on Honda's history of challenge while sharing dreams and hopes for the future with our fans.”
Honda's F1® Activity Highlights
1964-1968
Competed as constructor (factory team) with an all-Honda package, including engine and chassis
1965
Won first victory at the Mexican Grand Prix
1983-1992
Participated as engine supplier
1986
Won the Constructors' Championship (Williams Honda)
1987
Won Drivers' and Constructors' Championships
1988-1991
Won Drivers' and Constructors' Championships for four consecutive years (McLaren Honda)
2000-2005
Participated as BAR Honda through engine supply and joint chassis development
2006-2008
Participated as constructor, with an all-Honda package, including engine and chassis
2015-2017
Participated as a power unit supplier
2018
Began supplying power units to Scuderia Toro Rosso
2019
Began supplying power units to Red Bull Racing
2021
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) won Drivers' Championship
2022
HRC began technical support for Red Bull Powertrains
Max Verstappen won second consecutive Drivers' Championship, Red Bull Racing won Constructors' Championship
2023
Honda partners with Aston Martin F1 Team starting in 2026
Max Verstappen won third consecutive Drivers' Championship, Red Bull Racing won second consecutive Constructors' Championship
2024
Max Verstappen won fourth consecutive Drivers' Championship
.jpg)