HONDA’S F1 TRACK RECORD

HONDA R&D COMPANY 1964-1968

Honda entered F1 with a full constructor team the year after its first road car went into production, with Richie Ginther taking its maiden victory in the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix. John Surtees claimed another win in Italy in 1967, but the squad struggled to produce a consistently competitive chassis. It withdrew at the end of 1968, following the death of driver Jo Schlesser at Rouen.

ENGINE SUPPLIER 1983-1992

Honda returned to F1 in 1983 with the tiny Spirit squad and through the 1980s achieved plenty of success as a supplier, particularly with Williams, Lotus and Mclaren. The high point was the 1988 season, the last in F1’s turbo era: using Honda engines, Mclaren won 15 out of 16 races. Honda engines won 69 races during this period.

ENGINE SUPPLIER 2000-2005

Having maintained a presence in F1 with semi-works Mugenhonda engines, the firm returned as a supplier with BAR in 2000, also supplying Jordan in 2001 and 2002. Although there were no wins, BAR did finish second to Ferrari in the 2004 constructors’ championship.

HONDA RACING F1

2006-2008

Honda bought the BAR squad for 2006 to become a full constructor. After a solid first season – highlighted by Jenson Button’s victory in Hungary – the team struggled badly in 2007 and 2008. With the firm in financial trouble, Honda sold up at the end of 2008. It was bought by Brawn GP, which, using Mercedes engines, won both titles in 2009.

ENGINE SUPPLIER 2015-present

Lured back to F1 by the hybrid turbocharged regs, Honda has struggled for both pace and reliability. In three seasons with Mclaren, the highest finish it achieved was a fifth place. The Toro Rossohonda combo has scored five points finishes so far this year.