Honda RA301

The Honda RA301, seen here at Monza in 1968 with David Hobbs at its wheel, was an F1 racing car produced by Honda Racing for the 1968 Formula One season. Like its predecessor (RA300), the car was co-developed by Lola Cars.

The single-seater, designed by Yoshio Nakamura (Honda) and Derrick White (Lola Cars) had an aluminium monocoque and was powered by a 2991 cc longitudinally mounted V12 Honda engine.

Poor reliability hampered lead driver John Surtees’ progress, who only managed a best of second place at the French Grand Prix (picture below) where his team mate for one race Jo Schlesser had a fatal crash and where Jacky Ickx (Ferrari) scored his first Grand Prix win.

Actually, the RA301 was meant to be replaced at Rouen by the new RA302, but Surtees refused to drive it, judging it too dangerous, and Frenchman Jo Schlesser was chosen to drive the car, and sadly was killed in the race.

Surtees again reverted to the RA301 for the Italian Grand Prix, and a second Honda RA301 was entered for Brit David Hobbs (picture above) at Monza and was used till the end of the season where Swede Jo Bonnier made one appearance at the Mexican Grand Prix.