Tsunoda to Pilot Honda’s Initial Winning F1 Car at the Location of Its Historic Victory 60 Years Ago

      Honda

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      Current Red Bull Racing driver—though it’s uncertain for how long—Yuki Tsunoda will drive Honda’s first-ever Formula 1 winning car at the Mexico City Grand Prix in October. The Japanese driver will take the renowned RA272 around the Circuito Hermanos Rodríguez in an exhibition to commemorate Honda’s inaugural F1 victory, which occurred at this very location 60 years ago.

      The RA272, which I have extensively covered and had the chance to see up close last year, was driven to its victory by American racer Richie Ginther during the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix. This achievement marked Honda’s first win in just its second year in the series, solidifying the automaker's commitment to motorsport. The RA272 is equipped with a 1.5-liter V12 engine that reaches 13,000 rpm—yes, you read that correctly.

      I have heard this car race down the straight at Laguna Seca previously, albeit at a moderate pace. It wasn’t particularly fast or slow; the driver was clearly conservative on the revs. Will Tsunoda-san take a more daring approach on one of the longest straightaways on the F1 calendar? I certainly hope so. I would love to hear what the V12 sounds like at full throttle or at least close to it.

      Jerry Perez

      “It is an honor to drive the RA272 at the iconic site of Honda’s first F1 victory,” Tsunoda stated. “Driving on the track where the RA272 made history for Japanese motorsports 60 years ago is an especially significant and moving experience. With Honda’s history of overcoming challenges in my heart, I aim to deliver a drive that conveys dreams and passion to the fans.”

      I will be on-site at the Mexican Grand Prix, providing coverage of all the events surrounding Honda’s 60th anniversary of its F1 victory. Also, as a Mexico City native, it will be a heartfelt return to the track where I saw my first few F1 races as a young child. So stay tuned for plenty of F1 content.

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