In a celebration marking six decades since its first foray into Formula One, Honda will showcase its iconic RA272 race car at the 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The event, held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca from August 14-17, will feature Honda heritage test driver Hikaru Miyagi piloting the legendary V12-powered machine.
This commemoration comes exactly 60 years after Honda’s entry into F1 at the 1964 German Grand Prix. The RA272, famous for its victory at the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix—the first F1 win by a Japanese automaker—will perform exhibition laps, highlighting Honda’s legacy of engineering excellence. Miyagi, who also drove the RA272 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2024, will again take the wheel.
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Honda’s rich motorsport history includes powering eight Formula One Drivers’ Championships, with three consecutive titles from 2021 to 2023. The 2023 season saw a record-breaking performance with drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez dominating the circuit, reminiscent of Honda’s previous record with McLaren in 1988.
Looking ahead, Honda will supply power units to the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team starting in 2026, adapting to new F1 regulations that triple the hybrid system’s electrical power. This partnership aims to refine Honda’s e-motor and battery technologies, benefiting both racing and mass production.
Honda’s dedication to motorsport, stemming from founder Soichiro Honda’s belief in racing as a developmental tool, remains unwavering. The RA272’s appearance at Monterey Car Week underscores this legacy, celebrating Honda’s past achievements and future ambitions.
For further details on Honda’s racing heritage and future plans, visit the Honda Digital FactBook or the Honda Racing Corporation USA website.
Source: Honda Celebrates 60 Years of F1 at Monterey Car Week with RA272 at Laguna Seca
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