Ever since Soichiro Honda raced cars in the 1930s he had been looking for an opportunity to revive his ambitions in motorsport and in 1954 announced his intention to compete in the Isle of Man TT races. Before his fact-finding visit there the same year, to see for himself what the motorcycling world regarded as the pinnacle of accomplishment, he asserted: "Since I was a child, I have dreamed of building an automobile with my own hands and having it dominate world motor racing competition." He took part in motorsport not just through enthusiasm or even to promote sales.

He believed racing exercised engineers' minds and raised morale at Honda factories. By 1959 Honda began to prevail in its new activities and the company's determination gained respect long before it won a TT outright, but in 1961 Honda took the first five places in both the 250cc and 125cc races.

The objectives of Honda's new venture into F1 were clearly set out to develop the skills of young engineers, to develop new technologies and once again to establish Honda as the dominant force in Grand Prix racing.

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