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Honda in Formula 1 History

Honda in Formula 1: Past, Present, and Future

All About Honda In Formula 1
Honda In Formula 1

Honda, one of the world's largest automotive and motorcycle manufacturers, has a rich history in motorsport. Honda has been involved in Formula 1 for many years, providing engines and even building their own cars. However, the company has had a tumultuous relationship with the racing sport, leaving and returning several times. In this article, we'll explore Honda's history in Formula 1 and its current status in the sport.

Honda's Early Days in Formula 1

Honda first entered Formula 1 in the 1960s, providing engines for teams like Lotus and Brabham. In 1965, Honda scored its first Formula 1 victory with Richie Ginther at the Mexican Grand Prix. Honda continued to provide engines for various teams throughout the 1970s, but withdrew from the sport at the end of the 1978 season.


Honda F1 1960 Richie Ginther
Honda F1 1960 Richie Ginther


Honda's Return to Formula 1

Honda returned to Formula 1 as an engine supplier in 1983, partnering with Spirit and then Williams. In 1986, Honda started a partnership with McLaren that would prove to be highly successful. McLaren-Honda won four consecutive Constructors' Championships from 1988 to 1991 and Ayrton Senna won three Drivers' Championships during that period.

Ayrton Senna Honda F1
Ayrton Senna Honda F1


Honda's Partners in Formula 1

Honda has provided engines for several teams in Formula 1 over the years. In addition to McLaren, Honda has supplied engines to Williams, Lotus, Tyrrell, and BAR (which later became Honda's own team).

The Honda-Powered Teams in Formula 1

Currently, Honda only supplies engines to one team in Formula 1: Red Bull Racing. Red Bull has been powered by Honda engines since 2019 and the partnership has been highly successful, with Max Verstappen winning several races.

Honda Red Bull F1-Max Verstappen
Honda Red Bull F1 Max Verstappen


Honda's Engines in Formula 1

Honda has produced several engines for Formula 1 over the years, including the RA106, RA107, and RA109. Honda's current Formula 1 engine is the RA621H, which is used by Red Bull Racing.

The Honda RA272: Honda's First Formula 1 Car

Honda built its own Formula 1 car, the RA272, in 1965. The car featured a 1.5-liter V12 engine and was driven by Richie Ginther. The RA272 won Honda's first Formula 1 race at the Mexican Grand Prix.

RA272 Honda Formula 1 Car
RA272 Honda Formula 1 Car


Honda's Success in Formula 1

Honda has had a lot of success in Formula 1 over the years. The company has won six Constructors' Championships and five Drivers' Championships. Some of the most successful drivers to have raced with Honda engines include Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, and Jenson Button.

Why Did Honda Leave Formula 1?

Honda has left Formula 1 several times over the years. The company withdrew from the sport at the end of the 1960s due to financial difficulties, and again in the late 1970s due to a focus on developing its road car business. Honda also withdrew from Formula 1 at the end of the 1992 season due to a change in regulations that restricted the use of the V12 engines that Honda was using at the time.

Honda's Return to Formula 1 with McLaren

Honda returned to Formula 1 in 2015 as a partner of McLaren. However, the partnership was not as successful as their previous collaboration in the 1980s and 1990s. Honda struggled to develop a competitive engine, and the team finished near the back of the grid in most races.

Honda's Difficulties with McLaren

Honda's difficulties with McLaren were due in part to the complexity of the hybrid power units that were introduced in 2014. Honda struggled to develop an engine that was reliable and had enough power to compete with the other manufacturers. The partnership ended after the 2017 season.

Is Honda Still in Formula 1?

Yes, Honda is still involved in Formula 1. The company is currently supplying engines to Red Bull Racing and has had great success with the team.

Does Honda Have a Formula 1 Car?

No, Honda does not currently have its own Formula 1 car. The company only supplies engines to teams in the sport.

Honda Engines in Formula 1

Honda has a long history of producing high-performance engines for Formula 1. The company's current engine, the RA621H, is used by Red Bull Racing and is one of the most competitive engines in the sport.

Honda ra621h engine
Honda RA621h engine


When Did Honda Leave Formula 1?

Honda has left Formula 1 several times over the years. The company withdrew from the sport at the end of the 1978 season and again at the end of the 1992 season. Honda returned to the sport in 2015 with McLaren but withdrew again after the 2017 season. The company returned to Formula 1 as an engine supplier to Red Bull Racing in 2019.

FAQs

  1. What teams has Honda supplied engines to in Formula 1? Honda has supplied engines to several teams in Formula 1, including McLaren, Williams, Lotus, Tyrrell, and BAR (which later became Honda's own team).

  2. Who are some of the most successful drivers to have raced with Honda engines? Some of the most successful drivers to have raced with Honda engines include Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, and Jenson Button.

  3. Why did Honda leave Formula 1 in the late 1970s? Honda left Formula 1 in the late 1970s due to a focus on developing its road car business.

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