Honda: Verstappen experiences GP history 🎥
TEST IN THE RA272 In the run-up to the Japanese GP, qualifying for which was postponed to Sunday morning before the race, Max Verstappen was allowed to sit in the 1965 Honda RA272. This was Honda's first GP victory. Max Verstappen and Takuma Sato were allowed to drive a 1965 Honda RA272 and a 2011 Red Buill RB7 and had [...]
Max Verstappen and Takuma Sato were allowed to drive a 1965 Honda RA272 and a 2011 Red Buill RB7 and obviously had a lot of fun.
With the young Dutchman at the wheel, Red Bull Racing gave its engine partner its first two GP victories this season since Honda's return to Formula 1. To help Max Verstappen learn more about the brand's long motorsport history, he was allowed to take the Honda RA272 out for a few laps on the Honda test track in Tochigi.
First victory 54 years ago
Powered by a 230 hp in-line twelve-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.5 liters and a top speed of up to 12000 rpm, Ritchie Ginther won the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix with it. It was the first GP victory for him and for Honda.
Japan's ex-GP driver and 2017 Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato also got behind the wheel. Both also took it in turns to drive a screaming Red Bull RB7 from 2011.
Without seat belts
It is obvious that the current GP driver and favorite of many fans around the world was particularly enthusiastic about the historic racing car afterwards.
Max Verstappen: "I think the oldest car I ever drove was one from 2008. I barely had any space in the RA272. Luckily I was born later - I don't think I would ever have raced in it. It was weird driving without seatbelts. It's crazy how Formula 1 has developed since then. I also had to use the clutch to change gear, which I hadn't done for a long time. A cool and very emotional experience."
Qualifying and race in one day
Back in the presence of Formula 1, Max Verstappen had another new experience. Due to the approaching typhoon, all activities at the Suzuka Circuit on Saturday have been canceled. Qualifying for the 17th WRC race of the year is scheduled for Sunday morning at 10am. The race is scheduled to start just three hours after qualifying at 2.10pm.
If the weather conditions do not allow the qualifying session to be held, the starting grid for the Japanese Grand Prix will be determined by the order from the second free practice session. Some teams therefore already set the fastest times at the end of FP2. The two Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton were fastest, followed by Verstappen. The Alfa Romeo Sauber drivers Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi finished 11th and 15th respectively.
