Honda's forty years of F1 to be celebrated

By Honda Racing (07/10/2004)
October 13 2004

To mark the 40th year of Japan's Formula One history, a selection of historic F1 cars will be on display at the Suzuka Circuit this weekend during the Japanese Grand Prix, giving fans the opportunity to experience the progress of the sport from 1964 to the present day.

The nine machines on display will be a Honda RA271 (1964), a Honda RA273 (1966), Honda RA301 (1968), Spirit Honda 201C (1983), a Williams Honda FW09 (1983), Lotus Honda 99T (1987), McLaren Honda MP4/4 (1988), Larrousse Lola 90 Lamborghini (1990) and a Ligier JS43 Mugen Honda (1995).



Japan's F1 history began in 1964, when Honda competed in its first F1 race. To commemorate this significant landmark, Honda has invited a selection of previous Honda-powered F1 drivers to take to the track in some of its most evocative F1 cars on Sunday afternoon. The prestigious line up includes John Surtees – the only man to win a World Championship on two wheels and four – in a Honda RA300, the car that he steered to victory on its maiden outing at the 1967 Italian GP.

Joining Surtees will be Jacques Lafitte in a Williams Honda FW11B, Satoru Nakajima in a Lotus Honda 100T, and Aguri Suzuki at the wheel of the 1991 McLaren Honda MP4/6.

In addition, Kosuke Matsuura, Honda-powered 2004 IRL IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year, will drive a magnificent Honda RA272 – the 1965 car accredited with Honda's first F1 victory.