Honda will celebrate a major milestone of 500 F1 race involvements at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Texas.
This season’s Aston Martin cars, which use Honda’s RA626H F1 power unit, will race at this weekend’s Grand Prix with a special Honda500 logo to mark the occasion.
Significant achievements
The Japanese brand began its foray into the sport in 1964 at the German Grand Prix, achieving its first victory a year later with the RA272 at the Mexican Grand Prix. Until 1968, the team competed as an all-Honda factory team, developing both engines and chassis.
From 1983, Honda worked as an engine supplier and contributed to the 1986 Constructors’ Championship win with Williams Honda, as well as winning both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships with Williams Honda in 1987.
A year later, the brand was part of a four-year period of dominance, winning both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships for four consecutive years with McLaren Honda.
From 2000 to 2005, BAR Honda competed in F1, with the brand supplying engines and jointly developing chassis. World Championship-winning drivers like Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button raced for the team in this period. This arrangement changed between 2006 and 2008, when an all-Honda factory team was set up.
A two-year spell with McLaren between 2015 and 2017 preceded its involvement with Red Bull, where Honda contributed to Max Verstappen’s Drivers’ Championship with Red Bull Racing Honda in 2021.
Honda’s role at Red Bull changed in 2022, with HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) instead providing technical support to Red Bull Powertrains. This occurred for the next three seasons, a period which saw further Red Bull dominance.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing celebrate winning the 2021 World Drivers’ Championship — Credit: Red Bull Content Pool
“A deep sense of pride in the history and achievements represented by these 500 races”
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation said: “Since Honda first entered F1 in 1964, the company has experienced countless challenges, setbacks and moments of triumph on the world’s highest stage of motorsport. I am delighted that Honda has now reached the significant milestone of 500 races.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to fans around the world who have supported Honda’s challenges and cheered the company on through every high and low, to all the partners and drivers who have competed alongside Honda over the years, and to Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, with whom Honda is now united in taking on a new challenge.
With a deep sense of pride in the history and achievements represented by these 500 races, Honda and HRC will continue to take on the challenge of F1, striving to bring dreams and excitement to fans around the world.”
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Honda