Celebrating Honda’s Historic Victory at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix

The atmosphere at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is electric on a Sunday morning, as the sounds of engines roaring fill the air. Today marks a significant occasion in motorsport history, as Lando Norris is set to take the stage at the Mexican Grand Prix. In an impressive display, he will become the first driver in the hybrid era of Formula 1 to shift the championship lead with only five races remaining. This moment resonates deeply, especially as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of Richie Ginther’s historic victory at the same location in 1965, where he led the race from start to finish in the Honda RA272, marking Honda’s inaugural win in Formula 1.

As we glance at the Honda RA272, now nestled in a specially designated pit box near Yuki Tsunoda’s garage, its compact stature is striking when compared to the modern RB21 parked nearby. The design of the RA272 is simple yet elegant, adorned with a livery that pays homage to its Japanese roots, featuring predominantly white with a bold red circle on the nose. Today, Tsunoda will take this iconic vehicle for a spin on the track as part of the celebration of Honda’s rich motorsport legacy.

Before Tsunoda climbs into the RA272’s snug cockpit, the team of mechanics, dressed in classic attire reminiscent of the 1960s, prepares the car for the historic run. They carefully remove the engine cover to reveal the vehicle’s unique engine configuration: a transversely-mounted 1.5-liter V12. In an era dominated by V8 engines, Honda made a daring choice, believing that their smaller, lighter engine could yield greater peak power due to its ability to achieve higher rotational speeds. History proved them correct; the RA272’s engine became the benchmark for its time.

As the mechanics work diligently, the pit lane is soon filled with the unmistakable sound of the RA272E engine humming to life, followed by a powerful roar that echoes through the paddock. Even with the advancements in technology and engineering in today’s F1 cars, the raw power and haunting sound of this classic engine create a nostalgic atmosphere. Tsunoda, now settled into the cockpit, gives the throttle a gentle tap, and the RA272 rolls down the pit lane, retracing the path it last traveled six decades ago.

The 1965 Mexican Grand Prix was a peculiar event, marking the end of the racing season and the swan song for the 1.5-liter engine formula before the shift to three-liter regulations in 1966. The grid was filled with cars that would soon become obsolete, and with the championship already decided in Jim Clark’s favor two races prior, many teams arrived in Mexico with less than their full focus. However, Honda was fully prepared for the challenge ahead. Ginther and his teammate Ronnie Bucknum engaged in extensive practice sessions, beginning their workdays at dawn to adapt to the high-altitude track, located 7,000 feet above sea level. The team meticulously fine-tuned their fuel mixtures and addressed challenges with their injection systems.

Once official practice commenced, the RA272s quickly demonstrated their speed, with both drivers consistently clocking laps in the 1m57s to 1m58s range—well within record territory for the time. During practice, the drivers even swapped cars, both improving their lap times in the other’s vehicle. For the rest of the competitors, the sight of the Hondas speeding past served as a clear indication of the impending competition.

The following day brought warmer weather, yet the RA272 maintained its competitive edge. Following the qualifying sessions, Ginther secured a strong third position with a time of 1m56.48s, just 0.31 seconds off Clark’s pole time and a mere 0.07 seconds behind Dan Gurney’s Brabham. Bucknum started from the tenth position.

As the race began, Ginther made a remarkable move at the start, overtaking both Clark and Gurney to take the lead, which he maintained throughout the race. However, the journey was not without its challenges; Gurney steadily closed the gap, shrinking what was once a seven-second lead down to less than four seconds by mid-race. To counter this, Ginther increased his pace, resulting in several resets of the lap record before Gurney ultimately claimed it with a time of 1m55.84s. Despite this, Ginther crossed the finish line first, securing victory by 2.89 seconds over Gurney, while third-place Mike Spence was nearly a minute behind.

Post-race, Honda’s team manager Yoshio Nakamura sent a triumphant message back to headquarters in Tokyo, proclaiming "Veni, vidi, vici." Meanwhile, a report from the New York Times noted Ginther’s remarkable achievement, stating that he had transformed from "a happy little man with a brilliant future in the business of automobile racing" into "a happy little man with an excellent chance of becoming a world champion."

While Ginther’s victory at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix would turn out to be his only win, it was a pivotal moment for Honda, Goodyear, and the world of motorsport. The RA272, with its distinctive characteristics and exhilarating performance, would never race again, but it became a symbol of Honda’s aspirations and achievements in motorsport for years to come.

Honda’s founder, Soichiro Honda, envisioned that competing in top-tier races was essential for establishing the company’s presence in the automotive world. In the early days, Honda was primarily known as a motorcycle manufacturer, having made a name for itself in events like the Isle of Man TT races, where it debuted in 1959 and won the Manufacturers’ Team Award just two years later.

With success in two-wheeled racing under his belt, Soichiro Honda set his sights on conquering four-wheeled competition. In 1962, he made the bold decision to enter Formula 1, a daring move for a company that had yet to release a production car—this milestone would come in 1963.

Reflecting on the company’s foray into Formula 1, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe noted, “Everybody was surprised by that. The workers in the company were surprised. And then one year after our debut in Germany in 1964, we got our first win here in Mexico.”

Fast forward to 2026, and Honda is gearing up for a fresh chapter as a works team once again, this time in partnership with Aston Martin. The company’s return to the grid is a strategic move, and Mibe hints at exciting times ahead, stating, “We will change teams – we will have a green car.”

Honda’s history in Formula 1 has been marked by cycles of participation, withdrawal, and resurgence. The last full works program before the current partnership with Aston Martin ran from 2015 to 2021, initially with McLaren before switching to Red Bull. Now, as Honda prepares to return, it faces a new landscape in motorsport where the financial and technical complexities of global racing programs weigh heavily on manufacturers.

This return to Formula 1 comes at a time when companies must carefully balance the costs of racing with broader corporate priorities. Honda’s previous exit was influenced by its focus on advancing zero-emission technologies, such as electrification and hydrogen fuel cells. Racing remains in Honda’s DNA, but the decision to participate now involves a calculated evaluation of a range of factors, including environmental considerations and financial sustainability.

Mibe emphasized that while racing is integral to Honda’s identity, the company is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen. “Next year, we are calling our ‘fifth generation’ in racing,” he explained, highlighting the ongoing cycle of participation and withdrawal in the sport. Each iteration has been influenced by the realities of the automotive market and the need to manage costs effectively.

The goal for this upcoming generation is to achieve stability and sustainability within their racing operations. Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) is working independently to ensure that they can meet these challenges while remaining competitive. Koji Watanabe, president of HRC, remarked, “The goal is not to create six generations,” indicating a desire for a long-term commitment to the sport.

Financial management will be crucial for Honda’s success as they navigate the complexities of Formula 1. While HRC is developing performance parts to enhance competitiveness, the financial burdens of participation are substantial. Mibe noted, “F1 is the most expensive racing in the world. But we’re in discussions about the regulations to control the amount of money we’re using. F1 is high-technology, so we cannot reduce a lot because we also need to keep developing new technology. So we will have to find a balance.”

With Honda’s fifth generation in racing on the horizon, the potential for success is significant. Aston Martin’s recent strategic moves, including the hiring of renowned designer Adrian Newey and the establishment of a state-of-the-art technology campus at Silverstone, indicate a serious commitment to competing at the highest level. This facility, which includes cutting-edge design and manufacturing resources, will enable Aston Martin to enhance its competitive edge as they partner with Honda.

Honda’s impressive track record as an engine manufacturer includes 89 victories, 223 podium finishes, six Drivers’ Championships, and six Constructors’ titles, showcasing their rich history in the sport. As the company prepares for the upcoming season, they are determined to leverage their past successes and learn from experiences to make a significant impact on the track.

When the engines roar to life at Albert Park next March, the story of Honda will continue to unfold—a narrative that began with a pioneering manufacturer, a talented driver, and a remarkable car that