The Japanese manufacturer Honda has participated in Formula One as an engine manufacturer and team owner for various periods since 1964. It has been active as an engine manufacturer since 2015, producing the RA Series Hybrid power units that currently power Aston Martin.
Honda in Formula One at a glance
| First entry | 1964 season, as team and engine maker |
|---|---|
| First win | 1965 Mexican Grand Prix |
| First withdrawal | end of 1968 |
| Return as engine maker | 1983 |
| Constructors’ titles | every year 1986–1991 |
| Drivers’ titles | every year 1987–1991 |
| Second withdrawal | end of 1992 |
| Third era | from 2000 with BAR, Honda team for 2006 |
| 2006 win | Jenson Button, Hungarian Grand Prix |
| Hybrid era | from 2015 with McLaren, then Toro Rosso and Red Bull |
| 2019 win | Austrian Grand Prix |
| 2021 title | Max Verstappen |
| Engine maker record | six constructors’ and six drivers’ titles, over 80 wins |
| 2026 | full return with Aston Martin |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on Honda in Formula One.
History of the Honda in Formula One
The first era, 1964–1968
Honda entered Formula One in 1964, just four years after producing its first road car. Development of the RA271 began in 1962, and Honda startled the European-dominated paddock with an all-Japanese factory team, apart from the American drivers Ronnie Bucknum and Richie Ginther. For the RA271 Honda built its own engine and chassis, something only Ferrari and BRM had previously done among the teams still running in 1962. In only its second year of competition Honda reached the top step with Ginther’s win in the RA272 at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix. For the new 3.0-litre rules from 1966 Honda introduced the RA273, whose 360 hp V12 was well designed but let down by the rest of the package. Honda withdrew at the end of 1968 because of difficulties selling road cars in the United States and the fatal accident of its driver Jo Schlesser.
The dominant engine years
Honda returned in 1983 as an engine manufacturer, starting a very successful period. After winning races in 1984 and 1985 it won the Constructors’ Championship every year between 1986 and 1991 with Williams and McLaren, and the Drivers’ Championship every year from 1987 to 1991 with Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Honda withdrew at the end of 1992, having achieved its targets and with the Japanese asset bubble bursting.
BAR and the Honda team
Honda came back in 2000, supplying engines to British American Racing. BAR-Honda finished second in the constructors’ championship in 2004, and by the end of 2005 Honda had bought the team, rebranding it as Honda for 2006. After Jenson Button’s win at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, Honda announced in December 2008 that it would leave Formula One immediately because of the financial crisis, following limited success in 2007 and 2008.
The hybrid era and the return
In 2015 Honda returned as a works power unit supplier to McLaren with its RA Series Hybrid engines. The first units were uncompetitive and McLaren and Honda split after three years. Toro Rosso took Honda engines for 2018 as a works outfit, and after rapid development Red Bull Racing also took them for 2019. Honda’s first win of the hybrid era came at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, with many more to follow, culminating in Max Verstappen’s 2021 World Championship. Honda officially withdrew after 2021 to focus on carbon-neutral technologies but continued supplying the Red Bull teams until the end of 2025, with Honda-built engines winning further titles in 2022, 2023 and 2024. It will make a full return in 2026 with Aston Martin.
Design and features
- Team and engine maker: one of the few manufacturers to build both chassis and engine.
- Six constructors’ titles: every year from 1986 to 1991.
- Only Asian winning team: three Grand Prix wins as a team owner.
- Hybrid success: from the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix to the 2021 title.
Honda in Formula One versions
- RA271 and RA272 (1964–1965): the first Honda F1 cars.
- RA273 (1966): the 3.0-litre V12 car.
- RA106, RA107 and RA108 (2006–2008): the Honda team cars.
- RA Series Hybrid: the modern power unit.
Honda’s road cars such as the Civic and NSX carried the company’s racing reputation. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda in Formula One, English Wikipedia: eras, titles, wins, withdrawals, return
