<< Prev Page 2 of 2 Refined in detail, the RA271 evolved into the RA272 ahead of the 1965 season. Around 25 kg was shaved off the car by both subtle re-designs and the use of exotic materials like titanium nuts and bolts. What also helped was that all the non-stressed panels were now constructed from fibreglass instead of the heavier duraluminium. The V12 engine was also angled slightly farther forward to lower the car's centre of gravity. Honda also adopted Halibrand wheels and signed a deal with Goodyear for what was the tyre company's first year in Grand Prix racing. A two-car entry was readied with Bucknum joined by compatriot Richie Ginther.
Sitting out the South Africa season-opener, Honda opted to debut the RA272 at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. Qualifying towards the very back of the grid, the new car did not look like much of an improvement. A fourth place in qualifying for Ginther at the next round, at the high speed Spa-Francorchamps track showed that there actually was more pace in the RA272 than the first outing might have suggested. Ginther finished sixth, scoring Honda's very first World Championship point in the process. Reliability was still an issue and before the final round of the year, Ginther had only managed to finish in the points once more.
With extensive rule changes looming for 1966, including an increase of the displacement limit to 3,000cc, the Mexican Grand Prix was the last chance for the RA272 and the other 1.5-litre F1 cars to shine. Run at considerable altitude, the Mexican Grand Prix was notoriously tough on engines but it did not affect the Honda V12 quite as much as the rivals' engines. Ginther qualified third on the grid and went on to score Honda's very first Formula 1 victory in what was only the team's 11th Grand Prix. Starting 10th, Bucknum crossed the line in fifth, scoring his first points for Honda.
The Honda RA272 ended its career on a high in more ways than one. Rendered obsolete due to the aforementioned rule changes, the diminutive Grand Prix cars were not raced again. For 1966, they were replaced by an all-new and considerably larger machine, powered by a longitudinally mounted V12. With the RA272, Honda did not only score the company first Grand Prix win but also the first for Japan. To this day, Honda is still the most successful Japanese manufacturer in Formula 1, although mostly as an engine supplier. From 2015, it will once again take up that role, partnering with McLaren. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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Refined in detail, the RA271 evolved into the RA272 ahead of the 1965 season. Around 25 kg was shaved off the car by both subtle re-designs and the use of exotic materials like titanium nuts and bolts. What also helped was that all the non-stressed panels were now constructed from fibreglass instead of the heavier duraluminium. The V12 engine was also angled slightly farther forward to lower the car's centre of gravity. Honda also adopted Halibrand wheels and signed a deal with Goodyear for what was the tyre company's first year in Grand Prix racing. A two-car entry was readied with Bucknum joined by compatriot Richie Ginther.