Honda RA302

Information

The Honda RA302 was created by Honda Racing during the 1968 Formula One Season. The development of the RA302 was initiaited by its founder Soichiro Honda, when he wanted his team to build an air-cooled Formula 1 engine. as well as pursuing for a lighter material alternative over aluminium, by using magnesium construction.

When John Surtees test drove the RA302 on Silverstone, he found it was deemed a 'potential deathtrap,' as the car suffered from overheating and oil leak, which he then refused to compete with that and opted to drive its predecessor, the RA301.

It was only raced once at the 1968 French Grand Prix, and was driven by Jo Schlesser. However, Schlesser had a tragic accident, where he lost control of the car on lap 2, and crashed on the track's Virage des Six Frères section. Few seconds later, the car's magnesium material and its fuel worth of 58 laps have led to an instant ignition, instantly killing Schlesser, and destroying chassis F-801.

Honda built a second chassis, chassis number F-802, for Surtees, However, he still refused to drive the car, as it was still featured with the magnesium body that killed Schlesser despite numerous modifications were made.

It was also Honda's last Formula 1 car, until they've returned as a works team again in the 2006 Formula One Season with the RA106.