After World War II Soichiro Honda’s company blossomed, supplying Japan with cheap, affordable two wheeled transport. By the late fifties Honda had entered into international motorcycle racing, quickly establishing themselves at the famous Isle of Man TT. By the early sixties the company was keen to succeed in Formula 1 racing as well.
Honda’s First F1 Car
Honda initially intended to enter Formula 1 in 1964 as an engine supplier, providing units for the successful Lotus team. When this deal fell through the Japanese firm made the bold decision to go it alone. The result was the monocoque RA271, powered by a transversely mounted 1.5 litre V12.
The new car made its debut at the 1964 German Grand Prix, a race marred by the death of the popular Dutch driver Carel Godin de Beaufort. The inexperienced American Ronnie Bucknum was chosen to drive the RA271, which seemed a curious choice, given that his first race would be on the trickiest circuit in the world. Bucknum performed solidly enough, however, eventually retiring with broken suspension.
Ginther Gives Honda Maiden F1 Race Victory
The Honda appeared on two more occasions during 1964, retiring both times in Italy and America. For 1965 the team decided to run two cars, with American Ritchie Ginther joining his countryman. It proved to be a shrewd choice. Ginther scored the team’s first world championship point at Spa-Francorchamps. He also led in Britain and Holland, but never on the final lap. The breakthrough came at the final Grand Prix of the year in Mexico City, where Ginther won Honda’s first ever Formula 1 race.
All of the Formula 1 teams needed new engines for 1966, due to the new 3 litre regulations. Honda built a powerful V12, but the new car suffered from being too heavy. After a disappointing season John Surtees was brought in for 1967, with the team running a single car for the 1964 world champion.
Surtees Joins Honda Grand Prix Team
The 1967 did not go well for Honda, until the introduction of a new car, the RA300. At Monza Surtees fought a fierce battle with Jim Clark and Jack Brabham, narrowly taking victory. At season’s end the team was fourth in the constructor’s championship and Surtees fourth in the driver’s points.
Tragedy at Rouen and Honda’s Withdrawal
For 1968 Honda built the RA301, but the car was plagued by unreliability. Surtees looked like winning the Belgian Grand Prix until his suspension failed. Alongside the RA301 Honda also developed another car, the RA302, powered by an air-cooled V8. Surtees thought the car was dangerous and it fell to French rookie Jo Schlesser to give the RA302 its race debut at the 1968 French Grand Prix. The car crashed and Schlesser was burned to death in a fierce inferno fuelled by the RA302’s widespread use of magnesium.
Honda did not appear for the 1969 Formula 1 season, stating that they were taking a temporary break from Grand Prix racing. The break would last until 1983, when the company finally returned as an engine supplier in Formula 1.
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