In 1954, just six years after Honda Motor Company was established, Soichiro Honda announced his desire to enter the Isle of Man TT Races, and poured all of his energy into achieving that goal. Just five years later, in 1959, Honda marked its first entry into World Grand Prix racing, in the 125cc class, and that started the legacy that continues to this day.

In 1961, Honda entered its first full season in World Grand Prix racing in the 125cc and 250cc classes, and celebrated that same year the first Grand Prix victories, a clean sweep of the top five positions at the Isle of Man TT, and its first Riders’ and Constructors’ World Championship titles in an incredible year.

In 1963 Honda developed its first F1 prototype machine, the RA270, and in 1964 declared its intent to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship, participating in that year’s German GP. The first race victory came in 1965 with Richie Ginther in the RA272. In 2021 Red Bull Racing Honda and Max Verstappen took the World Championship crown, with Max repeating the performance in 2022 - with Honda as a Team Partner.

The Japanese manufacturer has left an indelible mark in the history books of racing, and continues to participate in more motorsport events, with more machines, than any other manufacturer. Because no-one races more than Honda.

Now, Mr Honda’s racing legacy lives on and is at the heart of everything Honda does. Racing is in Honda’s DNA and the lessons learned in the heat of competition improve Honda’s consumer products.