Honda at the time encouraged engineers to create their own projects in an attempt to motivate and boost morale.

Funds from Honda's motorsports budget were specifically put aside each year for engineers to be able to realistically create these projects.

With no access to latest Formula One chassis in 1991, the engineers had to develop the RC100's monocoque and suspension by calculation and analysis.

Following rule changes necessitated by safety concerns following the deaths at 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, a third Honda R&D Formula One car was later built, based on 1995 regulations.

The RC101B/RC-F1 2.0X featured new developments such as stepped bottom and a raised nose cone, and used a 3.0 liter Mugen-Honda engine as well as grooved Japanese Formula 3000-spec Bridgestone tyres.