Before Honda became one of Formula 1’s most successful engine suppliers, the Japanese manufacturer had to prove itself against the established European racing giants. That breakthrough moment arrived at the 1965 Belgian Grand Prix, where the legendary Honda RA272 secured Honda’s first-ever World Championship points in Formula 1.
Held at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit on June 13, 1965, the Belgian Grand Prix marked an important milestone for Honda’s early F1 journey. The team entered the race with the RA272, an evolution of the RA271 that had made Honda’s Formula 1 debut the previous season.
At the heart of the RA272 was a revolutionary 1.5-liter V12 engine, a compact but highly advanced power unit that showcased Honda’s engineering ambition. Unlike many competitors that used simpler four-cylinder or V8 layouts, Honda’s V12 featured high-revving performance and sophisticated technology that reflected the company’s racing philosophy.
American driver Richie Ginther delivered a strong performance throughout the weekend. Starting from fourth on the grid, Ginther managed to keep the Honda competitive in difficult conditions at Spa-Francorchamps, one of the fastest and most demanding circuits on the F1 calendar.
After a challenging race, Ginther brought the Honda RA272 home in sixth place, earning one championship point — Honda’s first-ever points finish in Formula 1.
The result was a major achievement for Honda, proving that the young Japanese manufacturer could compete with established teams such as Ferrari, Lotus, and BRM. It also became a foundation for greater success later that season.
Just a few months after the Belgian GP breakthrough, Honda achieved an even bigger milestone. At the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix, Richie Ginther drove the RA272 to Honda’s first Formula 1 victory, marking the beginning of Honda’s long and successful history in Grand Prix racing.
Today, the Honda RA272 remains one of the most important cars in F1 history. It represents the moment Honda announced itself on the world stage — not only as an automotive manufacturer, but as a serious force in motorsport engineering.
