Honda Formula 1 Engines
Founder: Soichiro Honda
Nation: Japan
First GP: 1964 German GP (RA271)
Final GP: 2021 Abu Dhabi GP (RA621H)
Best Result: 1st (80+ wins)
Championships: 6 Constructors’ · 6 Drivers’
Dominant Eras
1986-1991
McLaren-Honda: 4 consecutive Constructors’ titles
44 wins · 53 poles · 3 Drivers’ titles
2019-2021
Red Bull-Honda: 20 wins
2021 Drivers’ Champion (Verstappen)
Technical Evolution
RA272E (1965)
Type: V12
Displacement: 1.5L
Power: 230hp @ 11,500rpm
Teams: Honda
Historic: First Japanese GP win (1965 Mexico)
RA168E (1988)
Type: Turbo V6
Displacement: 1.5L
Power: 680hp (qualifying mode)
Teams: McLaren
Dominance: Powered MP4/4 to 15/16 wins
RA806E (2006)
Type: V8
Displacement: 2.4L
Power: 740hp @ 19,000rpm
Teams: Honda F1
Innovation: Earth Dreams livery
RA620H (2019)
Type: Turbo Hybrid V6
Displacement: 1.6L
Power: 950hp+ (with ERS)
Teams: Red Bull
Success: 2021 World Championship
Champion Drivers
Engineering Philosophy
Pursuit of Power
Developed highest-revving engines in F1 history
Hybrid Leadership
Pioneered energy recovery systems
Technical Innovations
- Turbo Domination: 1988 engine with variable turbo geometry (later banned)
- Compact Packaging: 2000s “size zero” concept for aerodynamic advantage
- ERS Revolution: 2015 MGU-H with unprecedented thermal efficiency
- Revolutionary Combustion: TJI (Turbulent Jet Ignition) technology
Iconic Moments
Mexico Grand Prix
Richie Ginther scores Honda’s first win
Perfect Season
McLaren-Honda wins 15 of 16 races
Hungarian GP Victory
Jenson Button’s first win in monsoon conditions
Abu Dhabi Finale
Verstappen clinches title with Honda power
Legacy & Withdrawal
Carbon Neutral Future
Withdrew to focus on 2026 sustainable fuel technologies
Red Bull Partnership
Continued technical support through Red Bull Powertrains
“Without Honda, we wouldn’t have won our championships. Their passion for innovation defined an era.” – Ron Dennis
Era Challenges
Complex Hybrid Era
2015-2017 struggled with McLaren packaging demands
Manufacturer Priorities
Shifted focus to road car electrification
Budget Constraints
Hybrid development required $200M+ annual investment
Final Victory: 2021 Abu Dhabi GP
Driver: Max Verstappen
Car: Red Bull RB16B
Engine: RA621H Hybrid V6
Championship: Won title on final lap
