Honda Celebrates 60 Years Since Its First F1® Victory with Yuki Tsunoda Driving the Iconic RA272 at the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix Showrun
Honda is set to celebrate one of the most defining milestones in its motorsport history at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix 2025. On October 26, fans at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will witness a symbolic moment as Yuki Tsunoda, current Oracle Red Bull Racing driver, takes the wheel of the Honda RA272—the car that secured Honda’s very first Formula One World Championship™ victory six decades ago.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Honda’s maiden F1® win, achieved on October 24, 1965, at the same venue in Mexico. That victory, delivered by American driver Richie Ginther in the RA272, not only marked Honda’s arrival at the pinnacle of global motorsport but also cemented its reputation as the first Japanese manufacturer to conquer the world’s most prestigious racing series.
The Legendary RA272: A Symbol of Japanese Motorsport Heritage
The RA272 was Honda’s Formula One entry in only its second year as a full constructor—meaning it built both the chassis and the engine, a rare and ambitious endeavor for a company still establishing itself on the world stage.
Powered by a 1.5-liter V12 engine, the RA272 was a technical marvel of its time. With its distinctive white body accented by the Japanese flag’s red circle, the car symbolized Japan’s determination to compete with the established racing powerhouses of Europe. When Ginther crossed the finish line first in Mexico, the victory ignited Japan’s motorsport legacy and inspired generations of engineers, drivers, and fans.
For this year’s commemorative run, engineers from Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) performed meticulous maintenance on the RA272, which is carefully preserved at the Honda Collection Hall in Japan. The car will once again roar on the same circuit where history was made, this time with Tsunoda—Japan’s modern-day F1® representative—behind the wheel.
A Celebration of 60 Years of Challenge
Since its founding, Honda has treated racing as more than just competition. For the company, motorsport has always been a laboratory for innovation and a training ground to refine both its people and its technology.
To mark this 60-year journey, Honda has organized a series of commemorative programs throughout 2025. In July, fans witnessed the Williams Honda FW11—a car that dominated the mid-1980s—perform a special showrun at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. In August, the same machine thrilled enthusiasts at Monterey Car Week in the United States. The celebration now culminates in Mexico, where the RA272 returns to honor Honda’s first taste of Formula One glory.
Looking forward, Honda is also preparing for a new era in Formula One. Beginning in 2026, the company will rejoin the grid as a power unit supplier, reinforcing its commitment to innovation in hybrid technology while continuing to inspire fans worldwide.
Voices from the Celebration
Yuki Tsunoda, who will drive the RA272, shared his excitement:
“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 deeply moving experience. With Honda’s history of challenges in my heart, I want to give fans a drive that conveys dreams and passion.”
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, added:
“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. Having Tsunoda, a Japanese F1® driver, pilot this historic car carries great significance. We hope this moment provides fans with an opportunity to reflect on Honda’s journey of challenges while also looking ahead to a future filled with dreams and possibilities.”
Honda’s F1® Journey: Key Highlights
- 1964–1968: Entered F1® as a full constructor with in-house engine and chassis.
- 1965: Secured first-ever win at the Mexican Grand Prix with Richie Ginther driving the RA272.
- 1983–1992: Returned as an engine supplier, powering teams like Williams and McLaren.
- 1986–1991: Captured multiple Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships, including four consecutive doubles with McLaren Honda.
- 2000–2008: Competed as BAR Honda and later as a constructor.
- 2015–2017: Returned as a power unit supplier for McLaren.
- 2018: Began supplying power units to Scuderia Toro Rosso (now Visa Cash App RB).
- 2019–2021: Partnered with Red Bull Racing, powering Max Verstappen to his first Drivers’ Championship in 2021.
- 2022–2024: Through HRC’s support, Red Bull Racing dominated with Verstappen securing four consecutive Drivers’ titles.
- 2026 (planned): Official return to Formula One as a power unit supplier, continuing Honda’s legacy of technological challenge and innovation.
Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
Honda’s 60th anniversary celebration is more than just a nostalgic tribute. It is a reminder of how far the company has come since its bold debut in Formula One. From the RA272’s groundbreaking victory in 1965 to its modern-day achievements with Red Bull Racing, Honda has consistently pursued its philosophy of “The Power of Dreams.”
As Yuki Tsunoda pilots the RA272 once more around Mexico’s famous circuit, fans will not only celebrate history but also look forward to the next chapter in Honda’s ongoing Formula One journey.
