Honda RA272 Cutaway – Photo of the Day
In 1965, the Honda RA272 became the first Japanese car to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The driver was American Richie Ginther, and the aforementioned race was the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix, which the Honda RA272 led from beginning to end. The Grand Prix would be Ginther’s only Formula 1 win, despite placing third overall whilst racing for Owen Racing (BRM P57) in 1963.
MORE: Dario Franchitti drives the Honda RA272 (video)
The Honda RA272 was powered by an extremely high-revving 1.5L 48 valve V12 engine, which is often said to have been capable of as many as 14,000rpm. This was ground breaking stuff for Formula 1 racing in the 1960s. The Honda RA272 is best remembered by many for it’s extremely impressive acceleration, which contributed to it’s ability to snatch the lead at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix right at the beginning, besting second place Dan Gurney and pole position Jim Clark despite starting third on the grid.
